Researchers at Rose-Hulman are studying an asteroid that will pass close to Earth later this decade.
The asteroid is the size of the Empire State building.
Astronomers discovered the Apophis asteroid in 2004. They originally thought it might hit Earth – causing significant damage.
At the Oakley Observatory at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology researchers are using large telescopes to monitor the asteroid.
Observatory Director Dominic Ludovici says in the spring of 2029 the asteroid will come within 19,000 miles of Earth, but it won’t impact our planet.
“It will get closer than the moon and it will get closer than the geosynchronous satellites but it won’t hit us on that pass,” says Ludovici
But Ludovici says Apophis will continue to make close approaches to Earth over the next 50 years.
Ludovici says the Observatory’s goal is to discover space rocks posing a danger to the planet as soon as possible.
“Looking for these asteroids and making sure we can find them is actually key to diverting one if it was going to hit the Earth.”
Over the next few years, as the asteroid moves closer to Earth, you will be able to see it with the naked eye.