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Asteroid's close encounter

LOS ANGELES: A huge asteroid will have a close encounter with Earth early on Monday, but astronomers say there is no danger of an impact. The asteroid, known as 2004 XP14, will whiz by about 433,000 km from the Earth, slightly farther away than the moon. The ringside seat to the cosmic spectacle will be in North America, where amateur sky watchers with good telescopes should be able see the asteroid as a small moving dot in the sky. The closest approach will occur on the U.S. West Coast on Sunday night, but the best viewing time on both coasts will most likely be early Monday, scientists said. Astronomers know little about the asteroid, which was discovered in 2004. But it is estimated to be as wide as 800 metres based on its brightness. More than three dozen asteroids have flown closer to Earth in the last few years, but scientists say 2004 XP14 is one of the largest. — AP

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