99942 Apophis is a near-Earth asteroid that gained notoriety in the mid-2000s due to initial concerns about a potential impact with Earth. This behemoth, estimated to be between 1,000 and 2,800 feet (300 and 850 meters) in diameter, is larger than some skyscrapers. Thankfully, due to refined observations and calculations, we can now rest easy. Apophis poses no threat to Earth in the foreseeable future.
Back in 2004, when Apophis was first discovered, astronomers flagged a small possibility of a close encounter in 2029. This caused a brief period of concern. However, meticulous tracking and analysis over the years painted a clearer picture. By 2006, scientists were able to rule out any chance of impact in 2029 or even 2036.
Apophis will indeed make a close approach in April 2029, but there's no need to worry. It will zip past our planet at a safe distance, millions of miles away. In fact, it will be even closer to Earth than some communication satellites in geostationary orbit, making it a unique opportunity for scientific observation.
Here's a quick summary of 99942 Apophis:
For more information on 99942 Apophis and other near-Earth objects, you can visit NASA's asteroid database https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_lookup.html.