Scientists set sights on asteroid larger than Eiffel Tower as it skims past Earth

Ramses mission to study 99942 Apophis when it passes closer to Earth than GPS and TV satellites in 2029

In 2029 an asteroid larger than the Eiffel Tower will skim past Earth in an event that until recently scientists had feared could foreshadow a catastrophic collision.

Now researchers hope to scrutinise 99942 Apophis as it makes its close encounter in an effort to bolster our defences against other space rocks.