An asteroid the size of an aircraft carrier is expected to fly past earth this week and NASA scientists say they'll be ready to capture images of the massive rock when it approaches.
At it closest point, Asteroid 2005 YU55 will come with 201,000 miles of earth.
SOUNDBITE: Nasa Lance Benner, Jet Propulsion Laboratory Research Scientist saying:
"It's going to be moving very rapidly as it traverses the earth on November 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th. In effect it will be moving straight at us from one direction and then it will go whizzing by so its motion across the sky will be close to 180 degrees."
Scientists say its rare for a space rock this size to come quite this close --- that it is something that happens once every 25 years or so.
When the YU55 approaches, they'll be ready. Radar telescopes in Puerto Rico and California will be ready to get a detailed look at the nomadic rock.
Deborah Gembara,
