Massive Asteroid to Shoot Past Earth This Week

A massive asteroid is expected to shoot past Earth this week, according to reports published on Saturday.

The massive space rock has been classified as "potentially hazardous" by NASA. However, it is expected to pass safely.

Indeed, NASA usually determines whether an asteroid is possibly hazardous by examining its size and distance from our planet.

"The asteroid, known as 2021 KT1, will make a "close approach" to Earth on June 1 at about 10:24 am EDT," NASA said earlier this month.

On this basis, 2021 KT1 will fly past Earth at a speed of roughly 40,000 mph, per NASA. This is 20 times the speed of a rifle bullet, according to American media.

The agency estimates the size of the giant asteroid to be between 492 feet and 1,082 feet in diameter. This is roughly the size of three NFL football fields combined.

"No one should be overly concerned about an Earth impact of an asteroid or comet," NASA also said in a post on its website.