On April 13, 2029, asteroid Apophis will make an extremely close pass by Earth — closer than some satellites.

NASA says Apophis will not hit Earth, but this rare flyby gives scientists a once-in-a-lifetime chance to study how Earth’s gravity can affect a massive asteroid. Could it change Apophis’ spin, shift its surface, or help us prepare for a future asteroid threat?

In this episode of The Cosmic Brief, we break down why Apophis once worried scientists, what will happen during the 2029 flyby, and why this close encounter matters for the future of planetary defense.

The Cosmic Brief explores space mysteries, cosmic events, strange worlds, and the biggest questions in the universe — one brief episode at a time.