NASA Live video of near Earth Asteroid flyby, closer than weather satellite (Photos)

NASA Television will provide commentary starting at 2 p.m. EST (11 a.m. PST) on Friday, Feb. 15, during the close, but safe, flyby of a small near-Earth asteroid named 2012 DA14. NASA places a high priority on tracking asteroids and protecting our home planet from them. This flyby will provide a unique opportunity for researchers to study a near-Earth object up close.

Note: The meteorite explosion over Russia this morning was not linked to this event. It was an incredible site. See video and photos of that event:

Part 1- Meteor seen over Russia

Part 2- Eyewitness view of loud explosion and building damage

The space rock will be close enough for Earth to change the trajectory, but not pull it in

Photo credit: 

NASA, Cal-Tech

The half-hour broadcast from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif., will incorporate real-time animation to show the location of the asteroid in relation to Earth, along with live or near real-time views of the asteroid from observatories in Australia, weather permitting.

At the time of its closest approach to Earth at approximately 2:25 p.m. EST (11:25 a.m. PST/ 19:25 UTC), the asteroid will be about 17,150 miles (27,600 kilometers) above Earth's surface. That is closer than our main GOES weather satellites which is 22,236 miles above Earth’s surface. They are not in danger of being hit.

This is will not be able to be seen with the naked eye, but NASA is tracking it live.

The commentary will be available via NASA TV and streamed live online at:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

and

http://www.ustream.tv/nasajpl2

Terms to know:

• Asteroid: A rock in space

• Meteor: An asteroid that enters Earth’s atmosphere

• Meteorite: A meteor that reached the ground

Kid Weather App: See the app I made with my son, who came up with this idea when he was 6 years old. You download will support our efforts. See more and links for your device at kidweatherapp.com

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