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Asteroid DA14 February 15th flyby Fear vs. Fact [VIDEO]

CREDIT: Space.com
1 of 3 | CREDIT: Space.com

NASA's Near-Earth Object Program Office manager Don Yeomans spoke to SPACE.com about Asteroid DA14, the small space rock that will come between us and the moon on Feb. 15th, 2013.

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Though the asteroid will pass within 17,200 miles of our planet, scientists at NASA have ruled out any potential danger associated with the flyby. In fact, they believe the event will be a once in a lifetime experience that will allow for the study of near-earth objects up close.

"The flyby will provide a unique opportunity for researchers to study a near-Earth object up close," NASA said in a statement.

According to Yeomans, DA14's close approach to the geosynchronous satellites orbiting at 22,245 miles above Earth, is nothing to worry about.

"The orbit of the asteroid is known well enough to rule out an impact," he said.

NASA scientists will be tracking the space rock from Feb. 16 to Feb. 20 with their Goldstone radar from California's Mojave Desert.

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