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Asteroid to pass Earth at 'remarkably close distance'

NASA said the asteroid will not hit earth but it will make the closest ever approach for an object so large.

A SMALL ASTEROID is due to pass Earth this week, so close that it will pass inside the ring of geosynchronous weather and communications satellites.

The asteroid will be closest to Earth on 15 February at around 7.24pm, though the time may change as the asteroid is tracked on approach and predictions are refined.

NASA has said that there is no cause for concern as it will “definitely” not hit earth but said it will pass at a “remarkably close distance”.

Don Yeomans of NASA’s Near Earth Object Observation Program said it will be a “record setting approach” as it is the closest ever predicted Earth approach for an object this large.

Asteroid 2012 DA14 will fly by just 27,700 kilometres above earth, closer than many man made satellites. At the time of closest approach, the asteroid will be over the eastern Indian Ocean, off Sumatra.

Though the asteroid will pass through the ring around earth containing many satellites, Yeomans said the odds of an impact with one are “extremely remote.”

The visiting asteroid will be within the Earth/moon system for about 33 hours. Scientists believe there are approximately 500,000 near-Earth asteroids the size of 2012 DA14 and less than one percent have been discovered.

Read: Could a nuclear bomb save us from a giant asteroid?>

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    Mute Chewey Bacca
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    Nov 27th 2018, 1:35 PM

    Congrats Victoria Mary & Shane – Great songwriter

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    Mute John Ryan
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    Nov 27th 2018, 1:43 PM

    The fact he’s actually still alive is astounding…the amount of abuse the human body can take and still keep on chugging is amazing…

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    Mute Terrence Edwards
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    Nov 27th 2018, 1:32 PM

    He’s the same age as me but could pass for my father

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    Mute Deborah Blacoe
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    Nov 27th 2018, 1:39 PM

    @Terrence Edwards: does your father have hair?

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    Mute Loretta stiletto
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    Nov 27th 2018, 1:42 PM

    @Terrence Edwards: really…. in your opinion

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    Mute Rob Ryan
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    Nov 27th 2018, 1:59 PM

    @Terrence Edwards: are there no mirrors in your house chief?

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    Mute Shea Carroll
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    Nov 27th 2018, 2:09 PM

    @Terrence Edwards: Very important information. Please keep us posted if you have any more insights

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    Mute Bertrand Bonquer
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    Nov 27th 2018, 3:00 PM

    @Terrence Edwards:
    Eh no. No he wouldn’t.

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    Mute Aine Power
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    Nov 27th 2018, 1:58 PM

    Best songwriter I have ever listened to.

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    Mute Brian Dunne
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    Nov 27th 2018, 2:52 PM

    @Aine Power: great man to pen a lyric. Lullaby of london is probably my personal favourite

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    Mute TamuMassif2019
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    Nov 28th 2018, 2:14 AM

    @Aine Power: He’s famous for 1 song really but he can only take credit for 50% of that Christmas jingle?

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    Mute Mari
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    Nov 27th 2018, 1:52 PM

    Big congrats guys

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    Mute Danny Ennis
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    Nov 27th 2018, 4:07 PM

    I’d say that was some session

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    Nov 27th 2018, 2:45 PM

    What a lucky gal she is.

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    Mute Ann Moynihan
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    Nov 27th 2018, 7:50 PM

    @damo.f: you have got to be joking!!!

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    Mute Deborah Blacoe
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    Nov 27th 2018, 8:32 PM

    @Ann Moynihan: why must he be joking?

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    Mute Rory Mackle
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    Nov 27th 2018, 6:56 PM

    Complete legend hope has a few good years of happiness A pair of brown eyes one of the greatest songs ever

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    Mute Dunn
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    Nov 27th 2018, 5:06 PM

    Huge congratulations.

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    Mute Brian Smith
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    Nov 27th 2018, 7:20 PM

    She now has a husband and a child to look after, all in one ceremony

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    Mute Rory Mackle
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    Nov 27th 2018, 6:56 PM

    Complete legend hope has a few good years of happiness

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    Mute Damien
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    Nov 27th 2018, 2:41 PM

    Shes one lucky lady.

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    Mute Damien
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    Nov 27th 2018, 2:31 PM

    Imagine waking up to that beautiful face beaide you in bed every morning. Shes a lucky lady.

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