Special Reports

Huge Asteroid To Fly 'Very Close' To Earth On April 19 ;Get The Chance To Watch it Pass By Earth [Video]

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Asteroid 2014 JO25 is headed towards the Earth and will pass by on April 19 at a distance of about 1.1 million miles. Though it is equivalent to 4.6 times the distance between the Earth and the moon, it is actually "really close". Read on to find out the time of the closest flyby set to happen in eight days.

In fact, asteroid 2014 JO25 draws a significant attention worldwide because of its proximity and size. NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) estimates that the space rock is around 2,000 feet. To emphasize its magnitude, it is roughly the length of six football fields. For the record, the last time an asteroid with the same measurements and the same distance passed by Earth was 13 years ago.

In September 2004, Toutatis approached the planet also within about four times the distance between Earth and moon. Its size was 3.1 miles or five kilometers. The question is: Will humans get hit this time?

Luckily, per Wall Street Pit, NASA assures that as close as its approach will be, there is no chance for a collision. While some speculate that the agency is lying to prevent a global panic, the majority of reports claim that all of these are rumors. NASA is telling the truth and there is no reason to be hysterical.

Actually, NASA encourages everybody to witness the spectacular event. Because the asteroid is so big and so near, anyone could watch it from any backyard one week from now. According to Sky and Telescope, it will be bright enough to for people to spot in a "small telescope" and it is moving at speeds enough to see it in real time.

The closest flyby will take place at 12 UT (7 a.m. CDT). When night falls in Europe and Africa, the asteroid will lit at its peak magnitude of +10.7. North American observers could expect it across Coma Berenices, between +10.8 and +11.0.

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