Nearby Asteroid Zooms By Earth

Asteroid Could Be Seen With Small Telescope

POSTED: 3:37 am PST March 2, 2009

UPDATED: 3:48 am PST March 3, 2009

Astronomers with the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center said a small asteroid flew close to earth Monday.

They said the small space rock -- about 100 feet across -- passed within 40,000 miles. That distance is less than the distance between the earth and the moon and about twice the altitude of orbiting satellites.

Amateur astronomers will be able to catch "2009 DD45" easily with a small telescope. But stargazers in the mainland United States will have a tough time spotting it.

The asteroid will fly closest to Tahiti, making the celestial show best viewable from Australia to Hawaii.

A smaller meteor made headlines last month when it streaked across the Texas sky.

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