City-Sized Asteroid to Pass Earth This Fall

[Evo]

"On Sept. 29, 2004 an asteroid the size of a small city will make the closest known pass of such a very large space rock anytime this century."

"Toutatis looks something like a dumbbell hurtling awkwardly through space. It has a crazy rotation that makes normal days impossible. Scientists can't explain the shape or the spin, but they're eager to learn more in September when, during the close pass, even backyard skywatchers will be able to spot the asteroid."

article at http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/mystery_monday_040503.html

 

[Rick Sobie]

"On Sept. 29, 2004 an asteroid the size of a small city will make the closest known pass of such a very large space rock anytime this century."

Wasn't there an asteroid that bounced off of Earth's atmosphere a few years ago? I seem to recall that in the news about 1997/98.

 

[Phobos]

Thanks for the link Evo. It's worth mentioning this to put everyone's mind at ease

it will zoom by our planet within a million miles, or about four times the distance to the Moon.

 

[Evo]

Good idea Phobos, since not everyone will read the entire article.