Small asteroid to pass by Earth on Monday; scientists say there's zero chance of

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Small asteroid to pass by Earth on Monday; scientists say there's zero chance of

impact

By The Associated Press | The Canadian Press – 24 minutes ago

PASADENA, Calif. - NASA says a newly discovered asteroid will have a close

encounter with Earth on Monday, but there's no need to worry.

The space agency's Near-Earth Object Program Office says the small space rock —

dubbed 2011 MD — will pass 7,500 miles (12,000 kilometres) above Earth's surface

over the southern Atlantic Ocean at about 6:30 a.m. PDT (1330 GMT).

Though it will come close, it's not a distance record holder. Earlier this year,

a tiny asteroid flew by even closer — within 3,400 miles (5,500 kilometres).

The latest asteroid measures 33 feet (10 metres) long and was discovered this

week by telescopes in New Mexico. Scientists say asteroids this size sail past

Earth every six years.

The asteroid will briefly be bright enough that medium-size telescopes may be

able to spot it.