An overview of near-Earth objects with emphasis on the upcoming close approach of asteroid 2012 DA14. On Feb. 15, 2013 an asteroid about half the size of a football field will fly past Earth closer than many man-made satellites. Since regular sky surveys began in the 1990s, astronomers have never seen an object so big come so close to our planet.

The Flyby of Asteroid 2012 DA14 on Feb 15, 2013: A Discussion with Don Yeomans of NASA's Near-Earth Object Program Office at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. The flyby of will be the closest known approach to Earth for an object its size.

Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech. Visit the Asteroid and Comet Watch site at nasa.gov