A MASSIVE asteroid is hurtling through space on a course that brings it close to Earth within days.
The US space agency Nasa expects Asteroid 388945 (2008 TZ3) to make a close approach to our planet on May 15.
The agency says the asteroid should pass Earth at around 21.18 UTC, which is 5.18pm ET and 9.18pm GMT.
The giant space rock is predicted to be up to 1,608 feet wide. By comparison, New York’s Empire State Building stands at 1,454 feet tall.
Although Asteroid 388945 should pass us from a distance of about 3.5million miles away, it is still considered a possible threat.
If an asteroid comes within 4.65million miles of our planet and is over a certain size, it’s considered “potentially hazardous” by cautious space agencies.
Read our Asteroid 388945 2008 TZ3 live blog for the latest news and updates…
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When to look up
Nasa says the asteroid should pass Earth at around 21.18 UTC, which is 5.18pm ET and 9.18pm GMT.
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What is Asteroid 388945 (2008 TZ3), continued
An asteroid of this size would cause some serious damage if it hit Earth.
There’s no need to panic though as Asteroid 388945 (2008 TZ3) should pass us from a distance of about 3.5million miles away.
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What is Asteroid 388945 (2008 TZ3)?
Nasa expects Asteroid 388945 (2008 TZ3) to make a close approach to our planet on May 15.
The giant space rock is predicted to be up to 1,608 feet wide.
By comparison, New York’s iconic Empire State Building stands at 1,454 feet tall.
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