2005 YU55 Closest approach to Earth will occur at 6:28 p.m. EST Tuesday

You all keep talking about the 9th and the dumb TEST in America when this thing will have already have flown on by the day before.

Large Asteroid Zipping Close to Earth on Tuesday

By MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writer
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. November 7, 2011 (AP)

An asteroid bigger than an aircraft carrier will dart between the Earth and moon on Tuesday — the closest encounter by such a huge rock in 35 years.

But scientists say not to worry. It won't hit.

"We're extremely confident, 100 percent confident, that this is not a threat," said the manager of NASA's Near Earth Object Program, Don Yeomans. "But it is an opportunity."

The asteroid named 2005 YU55 is being watched by ground antennas as it approaches from the direction of the sun. The last time it came within so-called shouting distance was 200 years ago.

Closest approach will occur at 6:28 p.m. EST Tuesday when the asteroid passes within 202,000 miles of Earth. That's closer than the roughly 240,000 miles between the Earth and the moon.

The moon will be just under 150,000 miles from the asteroid at the time of closest approach.

[link to abcnews.go.com]