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The moon as seen by Apollo 8 - Source: NASA
An asteroid about the size of a bus has shaved by Earth in what spacewatchers describe as a "near-miss," though experts were not concerned about the possibility of an impact.
The asteroid, named 2012 BX34 and measuring between six and 19 meters in diameter, had been unknown before it popped into view from a telescope in Arizona on Wednesday.
It came within 60,000 kilometres of earth about 6 this morning - one of the top 20 closest approaches ever observed.
However a presenter at the Auckland Star Dome, Tim Jessif says an asteroid that size wouldn't cause much damage if it did collide with Earth.
Jessif says depending on its constitution, an asteroid would usually break down on hitting the Earth's atmosphere. What remained could make a crater if it hit the ground.
Jessif says an asteroid that size passes the Earth every two years or so.
