Close encounter promised as asteroid headed to Earth

AN ASTEROID bigger than an aircraft carrier will dart between the Earth and moon today — the closest encounter by such a huge rock in 35 years.

The asteroid stretches a quarter-mile across. But scientists say not to worry. It won’t hit.

“We’re extremely confident, 100% confident, that this is not a threat,” said the manager of NASA’s Near Earth Object Programme, Don Yeomans. “But it is an opportunity.”