A bus-sized asteroid will fly extremely close to Earth

An asteroid the size of a bus will make an extremely close approach to Earth on July 7, passing within just 56,000 miles (90,000 kilometers) 

It will be about 23% of the average distance between Earth and the moon

The asteroid, named 2022 NF, is expected to pass safely by our planet

Astronomers discovered the sneaky asteroid using data from the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS)

On July 4, researchers identified the object and calculated its approximate size and trajectory, estimating that the space rock measured between 18 and 41 feet wide at its longest dimension.

Because of its diminutive size, 2022 NF does not fit NASA's criteria for a "potentially hazardous asteroid,"

Though the asteroid makes its closest approach to Earth on July 7, it will be visible to some telescopes beginning on Wednesday (July 6)

The Virtual Telescope Project will livestream the asteroid's flyby from their telescope in Rome, beginning at 4 p.m. EDT

NASA and other space agencies closely monitor thousands of NEOs like this one. Rarely do they pose a threat to Earth

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