Small asteroid to pass near Earth

MANILA, Philippines - A small asteroid will pass near the Earth on Feb. 16 but the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said it will be too far to cause any discernible effects on the planet.

Jose Mendoza of PAGASA’s Space Sciences and Astronomy Section said asteroid 2012 DA 14 is small.

The distance of the asteroid, almost 59 meters in size, even at its closest will still be too far away to affect the Earth’s tides, said Mendoza.

He said its closest approach will be on Feb. 16 at 3:24 a.m. (Philippine Standard Time).

Its distance from the Earth is more or less 27, 700 kilometers, Mendoza said.

According to the US National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA), the asteroid is predicted to come closest when it passes over the Indian Ocean off Sumatra.

“It will be visible, with a little help from a telescope, in eastern Europe, Australia and Asia,” NASA said.