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Earth buzzed by not one, but two asteroids today

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Asteroid 2012 XE54

A newly discovered asteroid, 2012 XE54, and an old-timer, 4179 Toutatis, are buzzing Earth today.  Asteroid 2012 XE54 was only discovered a few days ago (December 9) and passed between the Earth and Moon at a distance of 141,000 miles.  In a rare event, it was also eclipsed by Earth’s shadow as it passed. The tumbling 2.7 mile by 1.5 mile 4179 Toutatis passed Earth at 4.3 million miles away.  This one is considered potentially hazardous because it passes Earth every four years.

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