Astronomers first predicted that Apophis could get close to Earth in 2029, with another anxiety-inducing flyby scheduled for 2036 Jason Hahn is a former Human Interest and Sports Reporter for PEOPLE.

But now that we’re here, it would be nice if we could avoid future asteroid calamities, and one of the more threatening space rocks in our neck of the stellar woods is known as 99942 Apophis.

In a bit of ominous news befitting a Friday the 13th: It turns out that the asteroid Apophis could have a very small chance ...

On Friday, 13, 2029, Earth will have a fascinating and intimidating visitor in the form of the "God of Destruction" asteroid Apophis. The asteroid — named after the Egyptian serpent god of chaos ...