On April 13, 2029, the asteroid Apophis, the size of a cruise liner, will pass within 19,883 miles of Earth, accompanied by the European Space Agency's Ramses spacecraft. This close encounter will provide a unique opportunity for astronomers to study the asteroid up close.
Apophis, measuring 1,230 feet across, will be visible to the naked eye for around 2 billion people across Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia during its close approach. Initially a cause for concern, subsequent observations have ruled out any risk of Apophis impacting Earth in the next century.
