NASA scientists nearly missed the giant asteroid 2018 GE3, which became closer to the Earth at a distance equal to half the distance from the planet to the moon, according to Science Alert.

It is noted that the asteroid moved at a speed of about 106 thousand kilometers per hour. NASA recorded it with the help of an observatory in Arizona 21 hours before the rapprochement with the planet. As the publication emphasizes, the researchers fix the celestial bodies that fly by next to the Earth, once or twice a week. But the size of 2018 GE3 can be considered frightening. Its diameter is estimated at 47-100 meters.

"If 2018 GE3 fell to Earth, it would cause regional rather than global damage and, perhaps, it would decay in the atmosphere before reaching Earth. Nevertheless, this is a serious asteroid, which illustrates that even large space rocks can still surprise us. 2018 GE3 was found less than a day before the rapprochement, "- said the astronomers.

Source: ZN.