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In this artist rendering released by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Hayabusa probe collects surface samples after landing on an asteroid. (AP  / Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, HO)

Two asteroids to zip harmlessly by Earth

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CTV News Video

CTV News Channel: Lindley Johnson, NASA
A program exective with the Near Earth Object Observation Program discusses two asteroids expected to pass close to earth, and says there is no need for concern as this happens frequently.

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In this artist rendering released by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Hayabusa probe collects surface samples after landing on an asteroid. (AP  / Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, HO)

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In this artist rendering released by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Hayabusa probe collects surface samples after landing on an asteroid. (AP  / Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, HO)

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Date: Wed. Sep. 8 2010 9:40 AM ET

PASADENA, Calif. — NASA says two small asteroids discovered just days ago will zip harmlessly past Earth on Wednesday, a double flyby that should be visible through a telescope.

The asteroids were discovered Sunday by the NASA-funded Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona. The Minor Planet Center in Massachusetts, which tracks asteroids and comets, determined there was no chance of an Earth collision.

Asteroid 2010 RX30, thought to be 32 to 65 feet (10 to 20 metres) long, will pass within 154,000 miles (248,000 kilometres) of Earth shortly before 3 a.m. PDT; (1000 GMT) Wednesday.

The second one, dubbed 2010 RF12, will fly by about 11 hours later at a distance of about 49,000 miles (79,000 kilometres). NASA says the second one is 20 to 46 feet (6 to 14 metres) long.

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totaljustice
said

@Jack. Do some research. This is a very real threat to our existence. Every year a small amount of asteroids gets knocked from the belt that lies between Mars and Jupiter. Once this occurs they normally start to migrate with the Suns gravity inward, placing us in harms way. I for one would like to see a lot more effort put into stopping this threat rather than see if all life on Earth becomes the winners of some macabre lottery. It's not fear mongering it's scientific fact.


KJ in Kingston Ontario
said

That's a relief! Now there are only a third of a billion others to worry about. Anyway, what harm could a little rock do to a great big planet like the Earth..... Oh right -- that "Younger Dryas" climatic event about eleven or twelve thousand years ago.


Marc Bissonnette
said

@Jack: Fear mongering ? Did you not take any basic science courses in secondary school ? You *do* know that our solar system is comprised of more that just a star, nine planets and an asteroid belt, right ? (Yes, Pluto is a planet, I don't care what they say :) ) Fear mongering ? I think not.


Painless
said

It will be painless when it happens and that will be sooner then later as we now pass through the most dense part of our Galaxy.KYAGB...Kiss your as....


Jack
said

Here we go, the fear mongering begins by scientists to get funding....


Prof. Pye Chartt
said

Phew. Now I can return to worrying about developing cancer, and other genuine threats impacting my mortality and well-being (ie. Iggy becoming PM).


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