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NASA gives all clear: Earth safe from asteroid for 100 years

Photo: Nikola Jovanovic
Photo: Nikola Jovanovic

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA has given Earth the all clear for the next century from a particularly menacing asteroid.

The space agency announced this week that new telescope observations have ruled out any chance of the asteroid Apophis smacking Earth in 2068.

That's the same 1,100-foot space rock that was supposed to come frighteningly close in 2029 and again in 2036.

NASA ruled out any chance of a strike during those two close approaches a while ago. But a potential 2068 collision still loomed. The asteroid is now officially off NASA's “risk list.”

Danielle Prieur covers education in Central Florida.