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Near miss as scientists only spot huge asteroid after it had already buzzed Earth

Pixabay
Pixabay

Astronomers just spotted a hurtling space rock which could cause serious damage to our planet – but only after it had already passed Earth.

The asteroid 2017 001 was only spotted three days after its closest approach – and is thought to be up to 250ft wide.

While not enough to wipe out the human race, such asteroids can cause serious damage if they explode above inhabited areas.

Eddie Irizarry, a NASA Solar System Ambassador, says, ‘The late discovery of asteroid 2017 001 is a reminder that a Chelyabinsk type event can clearly repeat.

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‘However, bear in mind that it is still a small asteroid, too small to cause an extinction level event.’

The 2013 Chelyabinsk event saw the asteroid explode with the energy of 480 kilotons of TNT at 16 to 18 miles above the surface.

The asteroid, weighing 12,000 tonnes and as big as a bus hit Earth’s upper atmosphere with a speed of about 12 miles per second.

Asteroid 2017 001 could be significantly bigger.

Asteroid 2017 001 was spotted on July 23 by the ATLAS-MLO telescope at Mauna Loa, Hawaii.

It wasn’t spotted because it is faint – which means it is most likely dark or non-reflective, according to EarthSky.