Asteroid With Its Own Moon Passing By Earth Friday
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – NASA is preparing for a close encounter of the asteroid kind Friday afternoon when Asteroid 1998 QE2 drops by the earth.
The asteroid is reportedly the size of a cruise ship and unlike other asteroids; this one actually has its own moon orbiting around it. The moon is reportedly 2,000 feet wide, or roughly half-a-mile wide.
According to NASA, Friday is the closest the asteroid will come to Earth for the next 200 years. NASA said the asteroid will be in maximum proximity around 4:59 ET Friday evening.
But, if you're hoping to catch a glimpse of the massive asteroid, you'll have to have access to a powerful telescope. The asteroid's closest pass will be 15 times the distance between the Earth and the moon.
NASA said the asteroid only reflects six percent of the light that hits it which means it's blacker than coal, according to NPR.
