Apophis 2029: a global naked-eye sky show with a safe flyby

Astronomers predict the near‑Earth asteroid 99942 Apophis will pass by Earth on April 13, 2029, and be visible to the naked eye for about seven hours as it travels from Australia to the North Atlantic; at closest approach it will be roughly 19,700 miles above Earth and should be brightest near Cameroon. NASA says there is no impact risk for 2029 or the next century, making this a safe, rare opportunity to study how Earth's gravity affects an asteroid—potentially triggering landslides or exposing pristine material, though the exact outcome is unknown. Visibility depends on weather and light pollution, but estimates suggest billions could see it in principle.