WASHINGTON (AP) — Astronomers getting their first close-up glimpse of a giant asteroid about to whiz by Earth found a surprise bonus rock. A smaller moon asteroid is circling the larger space rock, an unusual but not unheard of space phenomenon.
The larger 1.7 mile-wide rock named Asteroid 1998 QE2 will be the closest to Earth on Friday at 4:59 p.m. EDT. Don’t worry, though. It will still be 3.6 million miles away. NASA scientist Paul Chodas (Ch’OH’duhs) said it’s one of the larger asteroids to swing by Earth and is the size of the space rock that wiped out the dinosaurs.
Real journalism.Trusted by millions.
Unlimited access to in-depth reporting, expert analysis, and the stories that shape our country.
Subscribe Now
Already a member? Log in
Print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account
Digital subscriber? Click here to login/register your account.