Asteroid close approach to test warning systems

[Notebook]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-41583704

An asteroid the size of a house is passing close to Earth.
The space rock will hurtle past our planet at a distance of about 42,000km (26,000 miles), bringing it within the Moon's orbit and just above the altitude of communication satellites.
Nasa scientists say there is no risk of an impact, but the flyby does provide them with the opportunity to test their asteroid-warning systems.
A global network of telescopes will be closely monitoring the object.

 

[Andy44]

If you have to wait until it's on top of you for the warning system to alert you, I'm not sure what good it's gonna do you...

 

[Notebook]

Dr Chodas said that while the risk of an asteroid hit was small, it was prudent to plan ahead.

Well, I'm hoping for the best. Sometimes these little devils can get it wrong...

EDIT: Just noticed its within 10% of Moon, thought it was in 10% of Earth.

 

[Messierhunter]

Not part of the network, but I did have fun tracking it with my own scope.