Asteroid Won't Hit Earth In March, But It's Getting Closer

Don't panic.

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Do not panic. An asteroid isn't hitting Earth—yet. However, a small asteroid that keeps passing by us is getting dangerously close. You will get an up-and-close look at the pesky rock on March 5, when it will jet across Earth's sky once again.

The asteroid flew past us two years ago. It was 1.3 million miles from Earth, so scientists at NASA's Center for NEO Studies (CNEOS) in Pasadena, Calif. didn't consider it cause for alarm. This time, though, we should be a little concerned about asteroid 2013 TX68. It is estimated that the X-Files-like object could get as close as 11,000 miles.

Yet, NASA says it's not time to embark on an Independence Day mission. Scientists are positive that the asteroid is remaining in space this time. "There is no possibility that this object could impact Earth" in 2016, according to a NASA press release. However, according to the press release, there's an "extremely remote chance that this small asteroid could impact on Sep. 28, 2017, with odds of no more than 1-in-250-million."

So again, do not panic—but start paying attention to the skies.

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