Though the asteroid will pass within 17,200 miles of our planet,
scientists at NASA have ruled out any potential danger
associated with the flyby. In fact, they believe the event will
be a once in a lifetime experience that will allow for the study
of near-earth objects up close. "The flyby will provide a unique
opportunity for researchers to study a near-Earth object up
close," NASA said in a statement. According to Yeomans, DA14's
close approach to the geosynchronous satellites orbiting at
22,245 miles above Earth, is nothing to worry about. "The orbit
of the asteroid is known well enough to rule out an impact," he
said. NASA scientists will be tracking the space rock from Feb.
16 to Feb. 20 with their Goldstone radar from California's
Mojave Desert.