An asteroid classified as potentially dangerous by NASA whizzed by Earth at 48,000 mph at 8:53 p.m. EDT Sunday.
The asteroid designated 1994 XD completes an orbit of the Sun every 1,310 days, or 3.59 years.
On Sunday, it passed by our planet 1.9 million miles away, eight times as far as the moon is from Earth. That distance is considered close compared with other asteroids.
The asteroid spans 1,500 feet, comparable to the Brooklyn Bridge.
Due to its size and relative proximity, NASA has deemed 1994 XD a potentially hazardous asteroid. It passed by Sunday without incident and is next expected to pass Earth at 3:35 a.m. Nov. 9, 2030.
Seven years from now, 1994 XD is projected to pass by Earth over 20 million miles away at 33,000 mph. Unlike Sunday’s visit, that will not be considered a close approach by NASA, according to SpaceReference.org.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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