NASA says a large asteroid will fly by Earth on Feb. 15

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RESTRICTIONS: Broadcast: NO USE JAPAN, NO USE TAIWAN Digital: NO USE JAPAN, NO USE TAIWAN NASA warned that asteroid 2002 PZ39 will approach Earth on Saturday.

This asteroid is moving at a speed of nearly 55,000 km per hour relative to Earth and has a diameter of between 440 meters to 990 meters.

According to NASA, should a rocky asteroid bigger than 25 meters but smaller than 1 km were to hit Earth, the meteorite would likely cause local damage to the impact area.

A meteorite larger than one or two kilometers in size would be capable of worldwide effects.

Business Insider reports that most asteroids occupy orbits between Jupiter and Mars, so they pose little danger to the Earth.

The outlet adds that 2002 PZ39 is one of the rare exceptions.

NASA considers this asteroid a near Earth object and estimates that it will miss earth by a margin of 15.2 lunar distances — or 5.8 million km — at 11:00 pm on February 15.

RUNDOWN SHOWS: 1.

Asteroid 2002 PZ39's estimated velocity and size 2.

NASA's assessment of the damage meteor impacts could cause to Earth 3.

Most asteroids' orbits are between Jupiter and Mars, posing no threat to Earth 4.

Asteroid 2002 PZ39's expected trajectory on Feb.

15 VOICEOVER (in English): "NASA warned that asteroid 2002 PZ39 will approach Earth on Saturday." "This asteroid is moving at a speed of nearly 55,000 km per hour relative to Earth and has a diameter of between 440 meters to 990 meters." "According to NASA, should a rocky asteroid bigger than 25 meters but smaller than 1 km were to hit Earth, the meteorite would likely cause local damage to the impact area." "A meteorite larger than one or two kilometers in size would be capable of worldwide effects." "Business Insider reports that most asteroids occupy orbits between Jupiter and Mars, so they pose little danger to the Earth." "The outlet adds that 2002 PZ39 is one of the rare exceptions." "NASA considers this asteroid a near Earth object and estimates that it will miss earth by a margin of 15.2 lunar distances — or 5.8 million km — at 11:00 pm on February 15." SOURCES: NASA, Center for Near Earth Object Studies, Business Insider India https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/asteroids/overview/fastfacts.html https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/ca/ https://www.businessinsider.in/slideshows/the-10-biggest-asteroids-that-pose-a-threat-to-earth-in-2020/only-a-few-meters-short-of-being-a-kilometre-wide-asteroid-163373-2002-pz39-will-be-third-biggest-asteroid-to-approach-earth-on-15-february-2020-one-day-after-the-worlds-valentines-celebrations-/slideshow/73054019.cms *** For story suggestions please contact tips@nextanimation.com.tw For technical and editorial support, please contact: Asia: +61 2 93 73 1841 Europe: +44 20 7542 7599 Americas and Latam: +1 800 738 8377