July 29, cnn.com - Astronomers said Monday they have determined that a newly discovered, 1.2-mile-wide asteroid will miss the Earth in 2019.
Last week, preliminary calculations of the orbital path traveled by asteroid 2002 NT7 suggested the space rock had about a 1-in-250,000 chance of plowing into the Earth on February 1, 2019. Such an impact would cause devastation on a continental scale.
Follow-up observations during the weekend showed the asteroid and the Earth won't meet -- at least for now, according to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Astronomers initially calculated at least seven potential impact dates beginning in 2019. Only one -- February 1, 2060 -- has yet to be ruled out, but astronomers expect to dismiss that threat as well after more observations of the asteroid are made.
Last week, preliminary calculations of the orbital path traveled by asteroid 2002 NT7 suggested the space rock had about a 1-in-250,000 chance of plowing into the Earth on February 1, 2019. Such an impact would cause devastation on a continental scale.
Follow-up observations during the weekend showed the asteroid and the Earth won't meet -- at least for now, according to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Astronomers initially calculated at least seven potential impact dates beginning in 2019. Only one -- February 1, 2060 -- has yet to be ruled out, but astronomers expect to dismiss that threat as well after more observations of the asteroid are made.