THAT WAS CLOSE!! ASTEROID AWAY FROM THE EARTH HARMLESSLY

The asteroid 2012 DA14 started around 17:25 (GMT) at a distance of 27,000 kilometers from Earth, according to scientists at the U.S. space agency (Nasa).

The passage of the asteroid 45 meters in diameter drew attention as never before humans identified the passage of such a large object so close to Earth. The distance of 27,000 km is considered lower than that of some communication satellites. The so-called geostationary satellites are at an approximate height of 36,000 km, the orbit of the Earth.

Despite the proximity record, experts ensure there is no risk of asteroid collision with Earth. There is also no risk of collision with communication satellites because the satellites are over the equator and the asteroid will pass closer to the South Pole

They followed the phenomenon in real time and transmitted via internet images obtained at Gingin Observatory, located in Australia.

A countdown accompanying transmission. Seconds after the passage of the asteroid, according to the prediction of scientists, one of the presenters joked that "the world was still as it was."

Despite the proximity record, experts ensure there is no risk of asteroid collision with Earth. There is also no risk of collision with communication satellites because the satellites are over the equator and the asteroid will pass closer to the South Pole

The 2012 DA14 was discovered on February 23, 2012, in Spain, seven days after the last 2.6 million km from Earth. Since then, astronomers projects linked to monitoring NEOs (acronym for near-Earth objects) have observed this object, raising more accurate data to establish its trajectory in space.

The asteroid should be composed in large part by the rock, without high concentrations of ice or metal. Its origin can be both an object of stray asteroid belt, or even be a dead comet, or a comet that has exhausted its volatile components, after many passages through the solar system.

Heavenly bodies of this size pass by Earth every 40 years on average and hit Earth every 1200 years. An impact with an asteroid this size is not capable of causing a mass extinction like the dinosaurs, but may lead to a disaster site if dropped on a densely populated area as a city.