On Friday the 13th, you might need to duck, but not for another three years. However, we want you to be ready. Asteroid 99942 Apophis is on its way toward the Earth.
There have been reports that it might be too close of an encounter. However, don’t worry, this isn’t a repeat of the asteroid that hit the Earth 66 million years ago and wiped out the dinosaurs. On Friday, April 13, 2029, Apophis will make its closest pass at 20,000 miles above the Earth.
Unfortunately, for those of us in the western hemisphere, it will be daylight at the time of the close encounter. However, those in the eastern hemisphere should get a good view of Apophis as it streaks by.
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Featured Image Credit: NASA (PIA16675) & ESA/Herschel/PACS/MACH-11/MPE/ESAC.