Space is big. Really big. In fact, it's so vastly, mindbogglinglybig that the actual chance of an asteroid the size of an aircraft carrier hitting anything is quite small. Peanuts, really. This Tuesday night, though, an asteroid will pass close by, without quite hitting, the earth. It will actually skip in closer than the Moon.
According to NASA, the asteroid known as 2005 YU55 is back after a 200 year hiatus, circling back towards earth from the Sun.
The hefty rock will be some 325,000 kms from Earth at its closest rotation, about 61,000 km closer than the Moon.
Lest we be carried away by any thoughts of Armageddon-style antics, though, the boffins at NASA are 100 per cent certain it won't hit.
"We're extremely confident, 100 percent confident, that this is not a threat," Don Yeomans, the manager of the Near Earth Object Program at NASA told the Associated Press. "But it is an opportunity."
For a Bruce Willis-themed movie sequel? Actually, no. This time around, it seems that won't happen, but given that NASA has landing on an asteroid on their list of favourite holiday destinations, it will surely happen eventually.
Especially as C-type asteroids like 2005 YU55 are known for carrying carbon-based matter. And maybe even water.
In any case, we're safe for the moment. At least until 2036, when the asteroid known as Apophis may possible decide to visit our atmosphere. Maybe
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