NEWS - KEEP AN EYE ON THE SKY : HUGE ASTEROID TO SNEAK BY EARTH TODAY

Keep an eye on the sky: Huge asteroid to sneak by Earth today

 By Mike Wehner, Tecca

As we reported on last week, an aircraft carrier-sized asteroid is currently hurtling towards a close encounter with our planet that will take place later today. The giant rock's visit — which is expected to make its flyby at around 6:28PM EST on November 8 — is highly anticipated by scientists and researchers all over the world.
Named 2005 YU55, the asteroid is approximately 1,300 feet wide, and while it's not necessarily a colossus by NASA's standards, its remarkably close flyby is what makes it unique. YU55 will travel within 201,700 miles of Earth, bringing it closer to our planet than the moon is. NASA has long since ruled out the possibility for an impact, and advanced radar scans of the asteroid's movements have provided peace of mind that the rock won't return to our area for at least the next century.
If you're hoping to catch a glimpse of the rare near-miss, you'll be able to do so with the right equipment. A naked-eye viewing won't be possible, as the rock is expected to be quite dim during its pass. However, NASA estimates that those with high-powered telescopes will be able to see YU55 as an illuminated dot moving from west to east. The guide below, created by Sky & Telescope, should give stargazers a good idea of where to cast their eyes later tonight.