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An asteroid big enough to wipe out a city will zip harmlessly between Earth and the Moon's orbit this weekend, missing both celestial bodies.
Key points:
- Astronomers will be able to study the space rock from just over 168,000 kilometres away
- NASA said it is rare for an asteroid to flyby so close to earth
- An expert says there is "no chance" it will strike Earth
The close encounter will offer astronomers the chance to study a space rock from just over 168,000 kilometres away.
That is less than half the distance from the Earth to the moon, making it visible through binoculars and small telescopes.
While asteroid flybys are common, NASA said it was rare for one so big to come so close — about once a decade.
Scientists estimate its size is somewhere between 40 to 90 metres.
Discovered a month ago, the asteroid known as 2023 DZ2 will pass within 515,000 kilometres of the moon on Saturday at its closest point at 19:50 UTC time, which is 5:50am AEST on Sunday.
Several hours later, it will buzz over the Indian Ocean at about 28,000kph.
"There is no chance of this 'city killer' striking Earth, but its close approach offers a great opportunity for observations," the European Space Agency's planetary defence chief Richard Moissl said.
Astronomers with the International Asteroid Warning Network see it as good practice for planetary defence if and when a dangerous asteroid heads our way, according to NASA.
The Virtual Telescope Project will provide a live webcast of the close approach.
The asteroid will not be back our way again until 2026.
Although there initially seemed to be a slight chance it might strike Earth then, scientists have since ruled that out.
AP