Huge Asteroid Hurtles Past Earth In Video

By Joe Tidy, Sky News Reporter

A cloudy night across Britain did not deter stargazers from catching a rare glimpse of an asteroid the size of three double-decker buses flying close to Earth.

At its closest, Asteroid 2014 DX110 flew 216,000 miles (348,000km) from Earth - even closer than initial estimates and within the orbit of our Moon.

The 30m-wide (100ft) asteroid flew past Earth - reaching its closest point at 9.58pm on Wednesday - at a speed of more than 31,000mph (50,000 kph).

Peter Birtwhistle with the telescope he used to spot the asteroid

The cloudy conditions meant many astronomers endured a disappointing evening, but veteran amateur astronomer Peter Birtwhistle managed to capture footage of the space rock through the clouds.

His video footage shows it passing over - the white shading is cloud cover.

Speaking from his home observatory in Great Shefford, Berkshire, he said of the sighting: "We were lucky to catch it through the clouds but it was great to pick it up and see it fly through the field of view.

"You'll get the opportunity to see something as close as this a few times a year if you are lucky."

Mr Birtwhistle examines the footage

As well as Wednesday's event, scientists are looking forward to another surprise asteroid.

Nasa telescopes have spotted another two space rocks heading towards Earth over the next 24 hours.

One will pass five times closer than Wednesday's asteroid and is expected to be on show on Thursday evening.

Mr Birtwhistle said: "It's a busy time up there and I just hope the clouds clear so we can enjoy these rare sights."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

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