NASA Reports Asteroid Apophis Set for Close Approach to Earth

(MENAFN) Scientists anticipate that an asteroid roughly the size of three football fields will fly past Earth within the next three years, giving researchers a rare chance to observe the massive space object at close range, according to NASA on Wednesday.

The asteroid, known as Apophis and named after the ancient Egyptian deity referred to as the "God of Chaos," is expected to zoom past Earth on April 13, 2029.

It will travel at a distance of about 20,000 miles above the planet’s surface, which is actually closer than many man-made satellites currently in orbit, the agency noted. For comparison, the highest orbiting satellites circle Earth at an altitude of roughly 22,000 miles above the equator.

Although Apophis is classified by scientists as "a potentially hazardous asteroid," NASA has emphasized that it will not present any danger to Earth during its 2029 flyby.

Following years of tracking and observation, researchers are confident that the asteroid does not pose any risk to the planet for at least the next century.

"There is no danger to Earth, to anyone or anything living on it, or to astronauts or satellites in space," the agency said.

However, NASA added that "But the event is an amazing and totally unprecedented opportunity to learn much more about Apophis and similar near-Earth asteroids," highlighting the scientific value of this rare encounter.

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