Search-engine major Google has made a doodle for Earth’s close shave with Asteroid 2012 DA14. The newly discovered asteroid will pass by the planet on February 16 at around 1.00 am, Indian Standard Time (IST).
The doodle shows the second 'G' of Google moving aside apparently in an alarmed manner after the asteroid passes by it.
Asteroid 2012 DA14 is a new asteroid and is about half the size of a football field. At its closest approach, the asteroid is said to pass at about 28,000 km above Earth — nearer than some of the TV and weather satellites that move around the planet.
The astronomical body will travel at a speed of 13–15 km per second — eight times faster than the speed of a rifle bullet.
Although Asteroid 2012 DA14 is the largest known object of its size to pass this close, scientists say there is no chance of any impact, this week or in the near future.