How to Watch the Apophis Flyby on April 13, 2029

Guide · 4 min read

The Apophis flyby will be one of the few asteroid passes that ordinary people can see without a telescope. Here is how to plan for it.

Where can you see it?

The closest approach is expected around 21:46 UTC on April 13, 2029, when it is night over Europe, Africa and parts of western Asia. These regions will have the best views. Observers in the Americas and eastern Asia will mostly miss the peak, though they will be able to follow livestreams from observatories.

What will it look like?

Apophis will look like a faint, fast-moving star, roughly as bright as the dimmer stars of the Big Dipper (magnitude about 3 to 4 at its brightest). It will cross the sky noticeably quickly, moving across many degrees of sky in an hour, which is very unusual for a naked-eye object. It will not look like a fireball or a comet with a tail.

What to prepare

• Dark location. Get away from city lights. Even a small village park helps.
• Clear sky. April weather is unpredictable. Check forecasts and have a backup spot.
• Binoculars. A basic pair (7x50 or 10x50) will make Apophis easier to follow and see its motion.
• Sky map app. Free apps such as Stellarium show where to look. Orbit data will be published by NASA JPL closer to the date.
• Wide-angle camera. A tripod and a phone or camera with long exposure can capture a faint streak.

Can't be there? Watch online

Expect livestreams from observatories, science channels and space agencies, such as Virtual Telescope Project, NASA and ESA. We will list the best streams on this site as the date gets closer.

Is it safe?

Yes. The asteroid will pass tens of thousands of kilometers away, and there is no impact risk. Its gravity will not cause earthquakes, tides or any noticeable effect on Earth. Learn more in our Apophis guide.