OSIRIS-REx at Bennu Artist's conception of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft collecting a sample from the asteroid Bennu. The actual asteroid is much more rocky than in this depiction. (more) Apophis asteroid Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Apophis Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Apophis Also known as: 99942 Apophis Written by Karen Sottosanti Karen Sottosanti is a writer and editor who works in educational publishing. Karen Sottosanti Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Nov 13, 2024 • Article History Table of Contents Also called: 99942 Apophis (Show more) Ask the Chatbot a Question Ask the Chatbot a Question Apophis, asteroid classified as a Near-Earth Object (NEO) and a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA). It is approximately 335 meters (1,100 feet) wide and has a peanutlike shape. Apophis will make a very close approach to Earth on April 13, 2029, when it will pass less than 32,000 km (20,000 miles) from Earth’s surface, just inside the orbiting distance of geosynchronous satellites. This will be the closest an asteroid of this size (of which astronomers had advance notice) has gotten to Earth in recorded history. Apophis will be visible to the unaided eye on the ground in the Eastern Hemisphere. Apophis ...(100 of 559 words)

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