Space Situational Awareness - Near Earth Objects Asteroid approaching Earth.
An asteroid nicknamed after a maligned dog and with the potential to cause catastrophic damage will pass within 40,000km of Earth today and scientists are ruling out any chance of it colliding with the planet in the foreseeable future.
The asteroid, officially called 2014RC and nicknamed "Pitbull", was first spotted
on August 31.
Nasa says it will be a close shave but there is no risk and at its closest approach - expected between 6am and 7am today - the asteroid should be at its brightest over New Zealand.
Stardome Observatory astronomer Dr Grant Christie said casual observers wanting to catch a glimpse of the giant rock, which is 20m across, would probably be "searching for a cork in the ocean".
He said experienced star gazers would need a telescope with at least a 35cm to 40cm aperture to see it comfortably.
