“While it poses no threat to Earth in the foreseeable future, it’s a relatively close pass by a relatively large asteroid, so it provides us a unique opportunity to observe and learn more,” said Don Yeomans, the recently retired manager of Nasa’s jet propulsion laboratory in a news release.
Nasa will take snapshots of the object as it flies past the earth, using radar and microwave radiation.
Its spokespeople have been more optimistic about our chances of catching a glimpse, suggesting it may be possible with simple binoculars.