Asteroid Nearly Hits Earth In Cosmic Collision

By: Jennifer Hong
Staff Writer
Published: Mar 4, 2009

Astronomers braced for a near collision as an asteroid came within 48,000 miles from Earth. The meteor was similar to one in 1908 which exploded over Siberia and flattened 800 square miles of forest.

Earth was nearly hit by an asteroid on Monday as astronomers reported the near collision. Although the meteor was not expected to hit the planet, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory reported it was a close call. The space ball was similar to one which exploded over Siberia in 1908 and leveled 800 square miles of forest.

The Asteroid came within 48,000 miles from Earth on Monday morning. The meteor was about the size of a 10-story building.

Asteroid 2009 DD45 was within 48,000 miles from Earth at around 8:40 a.m. on Monday morning. The distance is about twice as far as the highest geostationary satellite which orbits the Earth. The meteor was around the size of a 10-story building.

The asteroid was only spotted two days ago by NASA scientists at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. It measured approximately 115 feet wide. The meteor passed the Earth marking the Pacific Ocean, near Tahiti, its closest potential target.

Astronomers knew the asteroid was coming but reported that there was no risk of a collision. While asteroids of this size are rare, they have been known to pass closer to Earth without striking. Eventually, some of them do hit the Earth with minimal damage.

Meteors can be seen in our atmosphere several times a year. They appear as fiery objects which usually burn up in the atmosphere. An asteroid has a better chance hitting an ocean than land, since the Earth's surface is about two-thirds water. However, any kind of impact can be serious, and one hits the ocean, there is always a chance of a Tsunami.

Some astronomers say that the asteroid could've wiped out 500,000 miles of Earth upon impact.