Asteroid to pass near Earth on Thursday: NASA

A friend of mine is interested in asteroids, so I thought I would pass this info along to you.

Excerpt: A recently discovered small asteroid will pass by the Earth on Thursday, but poses no risk of striking, US space scientists said.

The orb will come just 395,000 kilometers (223,000 miles) from Earth -- a hair's breadth away in astronomical terms. At its closest, it will be closer to Earth than our Moon is, scientists said.

The asteroid, approximately 22 meters (71 feet) wide, was discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey, Tucson, Arizona. It will come nearest to Earth at about 2300 GMT Thursday.

Space officials said the "fly-by" is closer than most, although not especially rare.

Asteroid to pass near Earth on Thursday: NASA