A huge asteroid that astronomers compared to the size of a city block will zip close to Earth tonight
The giant space rock, dubbed 2012 LZ1, is will come within 14 "lunar distances" — a measurement of the distance from the Earth to the moon — from our planet
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Not to worry, it is not going to hit, just making a remarkably close pass tonight. This is the first time that astronomers have been able to track an asteroid this large making such a close to pass to our world.
--Asteroid Vesta seen from Dawn spacecraft (provided by NASA)
However, don't plan on stepping outside and seeing a bright streak in the sky tonight.
This asteroid is known as a "C Type" asteroid, meaning it is a very dark object, almost like black tar, making it nearly invisible to the naked eye. It will be visible through any large (8-10" or greater) amateur telescope.
It will be making its closest pass to the Earth at 6:28 tonight.
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