News - National
150-foot asteroid will buzz Earth, no need to duck
Posted: Feb 7, 2013 1:22 PM by Patricia Collier
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - An asteroid measuring 150 feet will zip past Earth next week.
The megarock will pass within 17,000 miles of the planet - the closest known approach ever for an object of this size. But NASA scientists said Thursday there's no reason to worry. They insist there is absolutely no chance of a collision next Friday.
The asteroid - considered small - will come closer to Earth than many high-flying communication satellites. It will be visible through binoculars or telescopes as it zooms by at 17,400 mph. The best viewing location will be Indonesia. Other prime viewing spots are Eastern Europe, Asia and Australia.
The asteroid was discovered last February.
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