A recent study suggests that there is likely no cause for concern regarding the asteroid Apophis, known for its impending close encounter with Earth in 2029.

Scientists have determined that this space rock is not at risk of colliding with other celestial bodies that could potentially alter its orbit and redirect it toward Earth—at least until its scheduled close approach to our planet.

Apophis, a peanut-shaped near-Earth asteroid with origins dating back approximately 4.6 billion years, exhibits a unique wobbling motion as it spins on its axis, completing a rotation every 30 hours.

On April 13, 2029, Apophis is expected to pass within 20,000 miles (32,000 kilometers) of Earth’s surface, marking the closest flyby of an asteroid of this size that scientists have been able to predict, Space.com reported.

Notably, this event aligns with the planned encounter of NASA’s OSIRIS-APEX spacecraft (formerly named OSIRIS-REx) with Apophis.

Written by B.C. Begley