An asteroid the size of an aircraft carrier could provide vital clues about the formation of the Earth when it flashes past us next week.

The huge space rock will miss our planet by just 200,000 miles on Tuesday, November 8, giving scientists a front-row seat for such a rare event.

The last time a rock of a comparable size passed so close was in 1976, but it was missed by everybody, including Nasa.


Dr Emily Baldwin, deputy editor of Astronomy Now magazine, told the Sunday Times: 'Studies of asteroids are important not only to learn about the potential threat an impact may have on Earth but also to understand the history of our solar system.'
She said it could help scientists understand how our planet was formed.
In years to come, Nasa may even use the asteroid as the location to land an astronaut when it next swings by in 2028.


[link to www.dailymail.co.uk]