99942 Apophis, Expected to Pass Within About 32,000 Kilometers of Earth in April 2029, Carries a Collision Risk With Human-made Space Debris

Researchers from Italy's National Research Council (CNR) simulated the asteroid's path and the population of debris in geosynchronous orbit (GEO). While astronomers stress Apophis poses no threat to Earth, they found a chance it could hit space junk. Experts say such a collision wouldn't alter the asteroid's orbit or create new danger, but it could leave a small crater and kick up a dust cloud.

ESA's RAMSES and NASA's OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft plan to study how Earth's gravity affects the asteroid during the close pass, including surface shifts and possible seismic activity. Researchers note an unexpected debris strike before the flyby could complicate detecting Earth's effects on the asteroid. The study also highlights gaps in tracking small debris at high altitudes like GEO. New telescopes under the European Union Space Surveillance System aim to map high-orbit debris more thoroughly by 2029.