(CNN) - <\/p>\n
Look out for Asteroid 2012 DA14. <\/p>\n
It is heading toward Earth at 17,450 miles per hour, according to NASA, and the tug of our planet's gravitational field will cause it to accelerate when it gets here. <\/p>\n
But it's not going to strike us, when it passes by on Feb. 15. NASA is adamant about this. <\/p>\n
\"It's orbit is very well-known,\" said Dr. Don Yeomans, NASA specialist for near-Earth objects. \"We know exactly where it's going to go, and it cannot hit the Earth.\" <\/p>\n
But it will give the Blue Planet the closest shave by any object it's size in known history, Yeomans said. Gravity will cause it to fly a curved path, tugging it closer to Earth's surface than most GPS or television satellites. <\/p>\n
While the asteroid is moving at a good clip, space rockets have to accelerate to an even higher speed to escape Earth's gravity and make it into space. Though 2012 DA14 will be flying more slowly, its trajectory will keep it from falling to Earth. <\/p>\n
Getting a look at 2012 DA14 <\/p>\n
Star gazers in Eastern Europe, Asia or Australia might be able to see it with binoculars or consumer telescopes. It will not be visible to the naked eye, because it's small, \"about half the size of a football field,\" Yeomans said. <\/p>\n
There are millions of asteroids in our solar system, and they come in all dimensions -- from the size of a beach ball to a large mountain, NASA said. <\/p>\n
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Read the original here: <\/p>\n
NASA: An asteroid is coming, and it will be fun<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" (CNN) - Look out for Asteroid 2012 DA14. It is heading toward Earth at 17,450 miles per hour, according to NASA, and the tug of our planet's gravitational field will cause it to accelerate when it gets here. But it's not going to strike us, when it passes by on Feb. Continue reading