A newly discovered asteroid will pass “very close” to Earth on Sunday, NASA says.
The space rock is estimated to be 60 feet (18 meters) long. It’s expected to fly over New Zealand about 2:18 p.m. EDT (18:18 GMT).
It won’t hit Earth or any of the thousands of satellites orbiting the planet, NASA says. It will give astronomers and scientists a chance to study it.
The asteroid won’t be visible the naked eye, but amateur astronomers should be able to see it with telescopes.
Called 2014 RC, the asteroid was discovered on August 31 by the Catalina Sky Survey near Tucson, Arizona.
NASA’s Near Earth Object Program estimates there arethousands of asteroids that could threaten Earth, but experts say none of the ones being tracked are expected to hit the planet anytime soon.
Sometimes, though, space rocks sneak by the scientists and amateur astronomers who track them. On February 15, 2013, a nearly 60-foot-wide meteor plunged into Earth’s atmosphere and exploded over the Russian city of Chelyabinsk with the force of about 30 nuclear bombs. The blast injured about 1,500 people.
The Chelyabinsk meteor was undetected before it was spotted by local residents as it streaked across the sky. It exploded on the same day that Asteroid 2012 DA14, one that was being carefully tracked by NASA, safely passed by Earth.
NASA is trying to speed up the way it tracks potentially hazardous asteroids and to learn how to deflect rocks that threaten Earth. ItsAsteroid Initiative includes a plan to capture an asteroid and tug it into orbit around the moon in the 2020s. If it works, astronauts will land on the asteroid, take samples and bring them back to Earth.
www.punchng.com/news/asteroid-to-pass-close-to-earth-on-sunday/

Ouch! I pray it doesnt take earth as last burst stop.

Oh.....but its not my business.

Although I love space stuffs, but if the Asteroid is not going to hit the Earth, if its not going to be visible to the naked eye and if it's not going to pass over Nigeria even West Africa, why is it a news? Apart from that the mesosphere is a layer of the atmosphere that is designed to shield us from all of these asteroids mishap

Bholutife18: Ouch! I pray it doesm take earth as last bust stop.

Amen oooooo

Will that bring an end to ebola virus?

Bholutife18: Ouch! I pray it doesm take earth as last bust stop.

No babe its not gonna hit earth. Even if it does, I'll keep you safe. You'll be safe in my arms.

It's an Alien surveillance comet. Don't be deceive prepare your Homes.

tejpot: T

Kasynpaulsyn1997: .

Bet why?

Asteroid ko, Nisterooy ni

hmmm!first time on front page!I must watch its passing.

Good Morning Nigeria


and


God Bless Nigeria.

If it hit the earth an alien evolves

....

Its none of my business.

Ok

ok o

Ok I hav one telescope at home anybdy who wants to see it can cm around

Kasynpaulsyn1997: Oh.....but its not my business.

_

...except when it explodes over your head and you die.

I hope say no side effect o

End time tins...

Aliens are passing through.

tmx21:
The asteroid won’t be visible the naked eye, but amateur astronomers should be able to see it with telescopes.

So not visible to the naked eye, so any amateur astronomers in the house that will get me telescopes

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Space booked

space booked

Where's it going to?

Thank you NASA, thank you US

Afghanistan:
No babe its not gonna hit earth. Even if it does, I'll keep you safe. You'll be safe in my arms.

_

No, she'll be dead in your dead arms.

They shuld call superman to push it away nd save the day

End time tins...!

So shuld I start runing up and down matchaw....