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Thursday, Feb 7, 2013 7:30 PM UTC

150-foot asteroid will buzz Earth, no need to duck

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Topics: From the Wires,

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — An asteroid measuring 150 feet will zip past Earth next week.

The megarock will pass within 17,000 miles of the planet — the closest known approach ever for an object of this size. But NASA scientists said Thursday there’s no reason to worry. They insist there is absolutely no chance of a collision next Friday.

The asteroid — considered small — will come closer to Earth than many high-flying communication satellites. It will be visible through binoculars or telescopes as it zooms by at 17,400 mph. The best viewing location will be Indonesia. Other prime viewing spots are Eastern Europe, Asia and Australia.

The asteroid was discovered last February.

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Online:

NASA’s Near Earth Object Program: http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov

By Marcia Dunn

More By Marcia Dunn.

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

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  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

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  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

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