Asteroid to pass near Earth at 12,000 kms – NASA

An asteroid, 5 to 20 meters in diameter will pass by the Earth, whipping 12,000 kilometers from the planet’s surface Monday, June 27 at 9:30 p.m. Manila time, the United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has revealed on its website Friday. NASA’s Near Earth Object Project Office said its discovery team in Socorro, New Mexico found the space rock named "Asteroid 2011 MD." NASA added that “an orbital analysis indicates there is no chance it will actually strike Earth." 2011 MD “will reach its closest Earth approach point in extreme southern latitudes, in fact over the southern Atlantic Ocean," according to NASA. The asteroid will also miss the many satellites circling the planet as it comes in. “The incoming trajectory leg passes several thousand kilometers outside the geosynchronous ring of satellites and the outgoing leg passes well inside the ring," NASA said. 2011 MD will be bright enough to spot in the skies using a modest-sized telescope, the agency said. — Earl Rosero/VS, GMA News