Close Call

“Newly found asteroid to pass close to Earth on Sunday”

By: Amanda Barnett


Source: CNN


http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/07/tech/innovation/asteroid-flying-close-to-earth/index.html?hpt=wo_c2

           A recently discovered asteroid, called 2014 RC, will pass by Earth at a close range. Luckily, this asteroid will not hit Earth or crash into any of the thousands of satellites circling around the planet. Asteroid 2014 RC was founded on August 31 by the Catalina Sky Survey close to Tucson, Arizona. This space rock has been projected to be 60 feet long and soar over New Zealand. Fortunately, this will give the astronomers and scientists at NASA a chance to study it. Experts at NASA have already stated that there are thousands of asteroids that could hit Earth but none of them are probable to hit the planet soon. Although, there have been cases when asteroids, meteors, and small space rocks are undetected by scientists. One example would be on February 15, 2013 when a 60-foot-wide meteor penetrated into Earth’s atmosphere and exploded just above a Russian city. This meteor had the power of about 30 nuclear bombs and injured1,500 people. NASA is trying to find a faster way to track asteroids close to Earth and capture one in the 2020’ for research.

          The public should be updated on this kind of information to know that there are other threats out there other than natural disasters. Hopefully, this will article will help them have faith in NASA to protect the Earth from any upcoming danger. The people ought to also read this so they know how close they were from getting hit by an asteroid. It is really exciting when you think about it.