Apophis Asteroid: Large Space Rock Flies Past Earth
Apophis Asteroid: Large Space Rock Flies Past Earth
A 300 metre-wide asteroid is making a close pass to the Earth.
Apophis - named after the Egyptian demon of destruction and darkness - has been put on a watch list by scientists.
They have calculated that in 2036 there is a very small chance it could collide with our planet.
However, its current fly-by is at a safe distance of about 14 million km - but this is close enough for astronomers to study the space rock and assess its future risk.
Apophis will not be visible with the naked eye, but space enthusiasts can watch it online via the Slooh space camera’s website.
Collision course?