The International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defence 2029 (referred to colloquially as Asteroids2029) was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2024 with Resolution 79/86 to take advantage of the unique occasion of the close approach of asteroid (99942) Apophis with the Earth in 2029.
Asteroids2029 will mark a monumental leap forward in the global effort on planetary defence research and will portray such research as a peaceful global scientific endeavor that unites scientists in an international, multicultural, ongoing effort to defend our planet against the potential hazards of NEOs. Asteroids2029 is, first and foremost, an activity for the citizens of Planet Earth. It aims to convey the excitement of personal discovery, the pleasure of sharing fundamental knowledge about asteroids, comets, meteorites and NEOs, spreading the taste for new challenges to younger generations and the value and necessity for nations to work together to defend our home planet.
Asteroids2029 will catalyse a worldwide campaign to raise awareness regarding asteroids and to highlight collaborative efforts being undertaken by the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN), the Space Mission Planning Advisory Group (SMPAG), facilitated by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), and space agencies and observatories around the world to mitigate the potential risk posed by possible impacts on the Earth by asteroids. Asteroids2029 will highlight the peaceful global endeavors that unite the world in an international, multicultural, and ongoing effort to defend our planet against the potential risk posed by impacts of asteroids and other near-Earth objects. Asteroids2029 is, first and foremost, an activity for the citizens of planet Earth. It aims to share knowledge and raise awareness about asteroids, comets, meteorites and near-Earth objects, inspire younger generations to contribute to this field, and underscore the necessity for nations to work together to defend our home planet.
If you would like to get involved, please contact us at: asteroids2029_at_pm.me
Asteroids 2029 Vision
Asteroids2029 aspires to unite people around the world in a shared understanding of asteroids and their role in our Solar System, raise awareness of planetary defence as a collective responsibility, and highlight the power of international cooperation in protecting our planet. Through education, engagement, and collaboration across cultures, disciplines, and nations, Asteroids2029 aims to empower communities around the globe to recognise that safeguarding Earth from asteroid impact risks is a global endeavor — one that connects science, society, and our shared future.
Asteroids2029 endeavours to share this responsibility for connection and community through our Three Pillars:
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- Increase worldwide public awareness and understanding of asteroids, using Apophis’ unique Earth close encounter as a catalyst to ignite global interest.
- Raise public understanding on a global scale about the risks asteroids can pose to Earth and what is being done to mitigate those risks across the globe.
- Expand ongoing efforts and showcase best practices for international collaboration for asteroid awareness and planetary defence.
Learn more about the goals of Asteroids2029, as outlined by our Three Pillars, by clicking this link: 🔗asteroids2029.org/about/goals-and-objectives
About Apophis
Asteroid Apophis will safely pass close to Earth on 13 April 2029. This will be the closest approach to Earth by an asteroid of this size that scientists have known about in advance. Apophis (officially 99942 Apophis) is a Near-Earth Object primarily composed of the materials that make up the leftover building blocks of the Solar System. Near-Earth Objects (or NEOs) are small Solar System bodies in orbit around the Sun that bring them close to the Earth. Apophis has been classified as a potentially hazardous object or a NEO that may be large enough to cause significant damage in the event of an impact. Apophis is not projected to hit the Earth, but it will come close in 2029 giving us a rare opportunity to learn more about these objects and prepare for the flyby.
Apophis will be close enough to Earth (31,860 kilometers) to pass within the orbit of Earth’s geosynchronous satellites (which orbit at 35,800 kilometres), but it is unlikely to pose a risk due to how it will approach, in relation to where the satellites are in space. This will give us an opportunity to observe the asteroid, but also observe the effects of the flyby on the asteroid’s surface. Earth will have a significant influence on the surface of the asteroid and we may be able to see changes to Apophis from Earth’s gravity. This helps us learn more about NEOs and potentially hazardous asteroids for future planetary defense activities. This was a major motivation for declaring the Apophis flyby year, 2029, as the International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defence (Asteroids2029).Read more about Apophis at the links below:
Asteroids 2029 Planning Timeline
Phase 1: 2025 - August, 2026
Initial Planning and Mobilization
Following the proclamation of the International Year by the United Nations General Assembly, initial organizational structures are established and early planning begins. A Governance structure and Secretariat will be established, as well as the corresponding documentation.
Phase 2: September, 2026 - 2027
Programme Development and Global Coordination
During this phase, the global programme of Asteroids2029 activities is developed and international coordination expands. National Nodes, Organisational Nodes, Task Groups and other Partners across participating countries and institutions will be established.
Phase 3: 2028 - 2029
Global Engagement and Implementation
In the lead-up to and throughout 2029, Asteroids2029 activities are implemented worldwide with a particular focus on the close approach of asteroid Apophis on 13 April 2029. Global communication campaigns will foster public engagement and coordinated international activities like global observing campaigns.
Phase 4: 2030
Evaluation and Legacy Development
Following the completion of the International Year, activities will shift toward collecting data, evaluating, reporting, and ensuring the long-term legacy of Asteroids2029.