'Near-miss' Asteroid heads for Earth

Artist's impression shows how the 'near-miss' asteroid might look passing in-between Earth and its communication satellites Credit: The University of Hertfordshire

An asteroid the size of a small office block will pass Earth today in one of the closest 'near-misses' in recent history.

Although there is no chance it will hit us, the huge rock is being closely watched by astronomers at the University of Hertfordshire as part of an on-going programme to monitor 'Near Earth Objects'.

Weighing 130,000 tonnes and travelling at over 28,000 miles per hour, the asteroid, officially named 2012DA14, will pass in-between Earth and its communication satellites such as Sky's Astra satellite.

Astronomers Dr Mark Gallaway and David Campbell are using high-powered telescopes to track its movements.

Too faint to see with the naked eye, the asteroid, which will pass closest to Australia, will be visible through binoculars and located with the help of the University's 'finder chart' at approximately 8pm.