A very large asteroid passed just 269,000 miles from the earth's surface early Monday morning. That placed it just slightly farther away than the moon.
While some asteroids have passed closer to the earth in recent years, this one, named 2004 XP14, is believed to be among the largest. Scientists estimate 2004 XP14 is one-half mile wide in places.
The asteroid was visible in the night sky Sunday evening with the best views coming in the western United States. Those with good telescopes could have seen the asteroid in Europe as well.
This is not the last we'll see of 2004 XP14. Scientists believe it will come close to earth approximately 10 more times before the end of the 21st century.
The asteroid is not expected to threaten earth which is a good thing. Dr. David Asher, from the Armagh Observatory in Northern Ireland told the British tabloid, 'The Sun,' 'If it had hit it could probably have wiped out a small country.'
