The Massive Asteroid Apophis Will Pass Closer to Earth Than Some Satellites in 2029—Planetary Defense Researchers are Getting Ready

• The asteroid Apophis will pass Earth on April 13, 2029, at a distance of 38,000 kilometers, roughly one-tenth the distance from Earth to the Moon. Researchers are preparing for this event as it offers a rare opportunity for planetary defense research.
• The study highlights the potential for international collaboration to coordinate missions and avoid interference, given the asteroid's proximity to Earth. It also notes that the asteroid's low gravity may cause surface dust to be lost to Earth’s magnetosphere, posing an electromagnetic disturbance hazard.
• The paper synthesizes data from radar, light-curve, and spectral observations to predict Apophis's dust ejection, orbital and spin changes, and structural response. These findings are crucial for evaluating the feasibility of missions, including flyby and sample return plans, and their scientific value.

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