Wellington - NASA just discovered the asteroid Sunday, August 31, 2014. This asteroid 2014RC will get close to earth this weekend. If you want to take a look at this asteroid, 2014RC, you will need a telescope and a ticket to New Zealand (if you're not already reading this in New Zealand).
This house-sized object's orbit will swing it by Earth on this Sunday (in three days). 2014RC's path will take it about 10 times closer to the Earth, than Earth's own moon. When it crosses between the Earth and the moon it will be near our satellites. 2014RC will get close to our communication and weather satellites. NASA notes, "while this celestial object does not appear to pose any threat to Earth or satellites, its close approach creates a unique opportunity for researchers to observe and learn about asteroids." On September 7, 2014, the time of closest approach for 2014RC, based on current calculations, is about 2:18 p.m. EDT (11:18 UTC). The asteroid will approximately be over New Zealand. Measuring its reflected brightness, astronomers estimate that the asteroid is about 60 feet (20 meters) in size. See also, www.nasa.gov.
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