It will be close to Earth, a huge asteroid four times the size of the “Empire State” skyscraper in New York City, on May 27, according to NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies.
The asteroid, named 7335 (1989 JA), will be about 2.5 million miles (4 million km) away, or roughly 10 times the average distance between Earth and the Moon.
However, due to the space rock’s sheer size (1.1 miles, or 1.8 km in diameter) and its relative proximity to Earth, NASA has classified it as a “potentially hazardous asteroid,” meaning it could seriously damage our planet if its orbit was constantly changing.
According to NASA, 7335 (1989 JA), is the largest asteroid that will approach Earth this year, and scientists estimate that the asteroid is traveling at a speed of about 47,200 miles per hour (76,000 km / h), or 20 times faster than a fast bullet, and will not make a close flyby. Another until June 23, 2055, when it passes farther from this flyby, or about 70 times the distance between the Earth and the Moon.