Extremely Close Encounter Asteroid to Pass By Earth On Monday Afternoon

 Battered Asteroid a Survivor From Solar System's BirthCredit: ESA Full StoryThe asteroid Lutetia at closest approach as seen by Europe's Rosetta spacecraft in July 2010.

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Asteroid to Pass Extremely Close By Earth On Monday

by Joe Rao, SPACE.com Skywatching Columnist

June 25, 2011
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Trajectory of asteroid 2011 MD during its June 27, 2011 flyby from the general direction of the sun.
CREDIT: NASA

Here's something to dwell on as you head to work next week: A small asteroid the size of a tour bus will make an extremely close pass by the Earth on Monday, but it poses no threat to the planet
The asteroid will make its closest approach at 1:14 p.m. EDT (1714 GMT) on June 27 and will pass just over 7,500 miles (12,000 kilometers) above the Earth's surface, NASA officials say. At that particular moment, the asteroid — which scientists have named 2011 MD — will be sailing high off the coast of Antarctica, almost 2,000 miles (3,218 km) south-southwest of South Africa.
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