Skip to comments.
Asteroid Apophis will safely pass close to Earth on April 13, 2029
NASA ^
| 04/05/2026
Posted on 04/05/2026 5:44:24 AM PDT by devane617
Near-Earth asteroid Apophis is a potentially hazardous asteroid that will safely pass close to Earth on April 13, 2029. It will come about 20,000 miles (32,000 kilometers) from our planet’s surface — closer than the distance of many satellites in geosynchronous orbit (about 22,236 miles, or 36,000 kilometers, in altitude).
(Excerpt) Read more at science.nasa.gov ...
TOPICS: Astronomy; Chit/Chat; Science
KEYWORDS: 2004mn4; apophis; asteroid; asteroids; astronomy; be; catastrophism; close; gonna; science
22,000 miles from Earth surface and Apophis has a mean diameter of 1,115 feet (340 meters), and a long axis that is at least 1,480 feet (450 meters) long. Let's hope the slide rule is right because an impact from something this size would be devastating.
1
posted on
04/05/2026 5:44:24 AM PDT
by
devane617
To: devane617
To: devane617
What IS a little concerning is what Earth’s gravity might do to the asteroid. We’ll find out in 3 years, I guess. Our spring weather here this time of year is usually dicey.
The fact that may pass close enough to easily observe is exciting. Hope it’s at least nighttime here…
Thanks for posting!
3
posted on
04/05/2026 6:16:00 AM PDT
by
telescope115
(Ad Astra, Ad Deum…)
To: telescope115
I will guess this will become big news in the coming year. It should be easily visible at that size.
4
posted on
04/05/2026 6:21:19 AM PDT
by
devane617
(Discipline Is Reliable, Motivation Is Fleeting..)
To: 75thOVI; Abathar; agrace; aimhigh; Alice in Wonderland; AnalogReigns; AndrewC; aragorn; ...
5
posted on
04/05/2026 6:26:48 AM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
(TDS -- it's not just for DNC shills anymore -- oh, wait, yeah it is.)
To: devane617
Anything can happen between now and 2029. If that asteroid encounters something we don’t know about it could easily change the orbit enough for a direct hit. I’m not saying it’s going to happen but that it could happen.
6
posted on
04/05/2026 6:28:02 AM PDT
by
ChuckHam
To: devane617
Asteroid 2024 YR4, a 60-meter-wide space rock, has a roughly 4% chance of striking the Moon on December 22, 2032. We might even have a Moon base up and running by then!
7
posted on
04/05/2026 6:51:36 AM PDT
by
Nateman
(Democrats did not strive for fraud friendly voting merely to continue honest elections.)
To: devane617
Other “news” sites have helpful artists renditions of what would happen if Apophis hits Earth. LOL. And Neil deGrasse Tyson is on every show that will have him explaining that there is a much greater chance of impact the next time it passes.
8
posted on
04/05/2026 6:53:50 AM PDT
by
Opinionated Blowhard
(When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.)
To: devane617
20,000 miles is a hair’s breadth, cosmologically speaking.
9
posted on
04/05/2026 7:34:26 AM PDT
by
Bloody Sam Roberts
(Perfection is impossible. But if you pursue perfection you may achieve excellence - - Vince Lombardi)
To: Nateman
That far out, we should be able to deflect or disperse* it many months in advance. Granted that an impact (if well away from the base!) would provide some great seismological data.
*The latter especially if it is basically a pile of gravel and not a “rock”.
10
posted on
04/05/2026 7:53:23 AM PDT
by
Paul R.
(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))
To: Bloody Sam Roberts
No kidding!!
Does anyone know the timing? Maybe night-time over North America? That’d be cool to watch...
11
posted on
04/05/2026 7:56:39 AM PDT
by
Paul R.
(Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))
To: ClearCase_guy
12
posted on
04/05/2026 8:23:22 AM PDT
by
BenLurkin
(The above is not a statement of fact. It is opinion or satire. Or both.)
To: devane617
13
posted on
04/05/2026 9:04:50 AM PDT
by
Organic Panic
('Was I molested. I think so' - Ashley Biden )
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson