A newly discovered asteroid similar to the Russian meteor that hit two weeks ago is set to pass Earth at an approximate distance of the moon's orbit Monday, Mar. 4, at 2:35 a.m. ET (7:35 a.m. UTC). The asteroid identified as 2013 EC was discovered by Arizona's Mount Lemmon Observatory Saturday.
Scientists have confirmed that the new asteroid will not hit earth or cause any damage while passing the Earth in its closest approach.
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| Photo: ReutersThis NASA handout image pictures the passage of asteroid 2012 DA14 through the Earth-moon system |
The asteroid is similar in size of the Russian meteorite that streaked into the atmosphere and exploded over the Ural Mountains in central Russia, Feb.15. The asteroid, 2013 EC, is expected to be between 10-17 meters wide.
The Russian meteor was 17 meter wide with a mass of 10,000 tons before entering Earth's atmosphere. More than a thousand people were injured as the sonic wave caused by the explosion collapsed roofs and shook buildings in the Ural region in Russia.
The asteroid, 2013 EC, traces a 246,000 miles journey to Earth, which is a little closer than the moon’s distance from Earth, at a speed of 20.20 km/ second. Distance to moon’s orbit from the Earth differs between 225,622 and 252,088 miles (363,104 to 406,696 kilometers).
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