While there is no chance that asteroid 2012 DA14 will hit Earth
this Friday (Feb. 15), the asteroid's flyby is history-making
for several other reasons. For one thing, scientists will have
the unprecedented chance to get an up close and personal view of
the near-Earth asteroid, which is half the size of a football,
as it passes by the planet at a distance of just 17,200 miles
(27,000 kilometers). Here are a few strange and interesting
facts about the asteroid 2012 da14 to prepare you for Friday's
close approach: This is asteroid 2012 DA14's closest pass ever
Using intricate mapping techniques, researchers have already
plotted the 150-foot (45 meters) space rock's trajectory far out
into the future. When the asteroid flies by Earth, the planet's
gravity will force the asteroid into a new orbit that won't
bring it this close to the Earth for years to come. [Asteroid
2012 DA14's Close Shave Explained (Infographic)] Asteroids like
2012 DA14 have hit Earth before Scientists think the "Tunguska
Event" over Siberia