Asteroid shaves past Earth's atmosphere

Asteroid shaves past Earth's atmosphere


13:59 23 August 04

NewScientist.com news service

The closest observed asteroid yet to skim past the Earth without hitting the atmosphere, was reported by astronomers on Sunday.

The previously unknown object, spanning five to 10 metres across, has been named 2004 FU162. It streaked across the sky just 6500 kilometres - roughly the radius of the Earth - above the ground on 31 March, although details have only now emerged.

Wow! Talk about a close encounter.
Link to story here, john

www.newscientist.com...

There is a thread on this already...