An asteroid the size of an aircraft carrier will pass within 202,000 miles of Earth Tuesday. The distance is within eight-tenths the distance of the moon, and would be the closest approach of an object this size in more than 30 years. The closest approach will occur at 6:28 p.m., according to NASA. NASA scientists plan to study the asteroid on its close path.
If the asteroid were to crash into Earth, it could cause a 4,000 megaton blast and a 7.0 magnitude earthquake. If it fell into the ocean, it could cause a 70-foot tidal wave. NASA experts assure that the asteroid poses no threat of Earth collision, however.
