Apophis is a near-Earth asteroid that was discovered in 2004. It is approximately 370 meters in diameter and orbits the Sun every 323 days. Initially, it gained attention due to predictions that it might collide with Earth in 2029, but further observations have significantly reduced this risk.
The asteroid is named after the ancient Egyptian deity of chaos and destruction. Apophis will make a close approach to Earth on April 13, 2029, coming within 31,000 kilometers of our planet. This event will provide scientists with a unique opportunity to study the asteroid up close.