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Asteroid whizzes past

LOS ANGELES: A huge asteroid has whizzed closely and harmlessly by Earth. The asteroid, known as 2004 XP14, skimmed about 432,820 km from the planet late on Sunday and early Monday. That's slightly farther away than the moon. It was expected to be visible as a small moving dot to amateur sky watchers with good telescopes in North America and as a fainter object in Europe. Astronomers know little about the asteroid, which was discovered in 2004. But it is estimated to be half a mile wide. 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. Scientists estimate 2004 XP14 will have 10 more close encounters with Earth over this century, none of which will pose a threat. — AP

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