Asteroid 2014-YB35 will pass by Earth TODAY: When where and everything you need to know

ASTEROID 2014-YB35 is set to hurtle terrifyingly close to Earth today and if it were to hit Earth it would unleash an explosive force equivalent to more than 15,000 million tonnes - 15,000 megatons - of TNT.

Asteroid 2014-YB35 will pass by Earth todayGETTY

Asteroid 2014-YB35 will pass by Earth today

Fortunately however the 1,000-metre wide monster will just miss Earth and pass within 2.8 million miles - a tiny distance in astronomical terms.

The object called ‘2014-YB35’ is almost the same size as Ben Nevis and is travelling at more than 23,000 mph.

Small meteorites often pass close by however one of this size is a once in 5,000-year occurrence, according to concerned astronomers.

The object was first spotted by the Catalina Sky Survey at the end of last year and finally the day of it's passing is upon us.

The path of the asteroid is shown below in an animated 'trajectory map' released by NASA. It can clearly be seen only narrowly missing the Earth.

**CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES FROM NASA's 43rd INTERNATIONAL SPACE MISSION** 

This image shows the path of the asteroidNASA

This image shows the path of the asteroid

How far away is the asteroid?

The asteroid is 2.8million miles away

How big is it?

The asteroid is thought to be as big as Ben Nevis and as wide as 14 football pitches

What speed is it travelling at?

The asteroid is travelling at 23,000mph

When will it pass?

The asteroid will pass by Earth around 17.00 GMT

How rare is it?

An asteroid this size will not pass by Earth again for 5,000 years

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