Large asteroid misses earth, meteorite hits Russia - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

Hours after a meteor exploded 20 miles above parts of Russia, a second much larger asteroid had a close call with the earth.

The asteroid weaved its way in between the moon and weather satellites to come 17,200 miles from hitting earth Friday afternoon. That was the closest encounter earth has had since sky survey's were started in the 1990s.

The asteroid is 150 feet in diameter, about half the size of a football field. Astronomers say that size isn't enough to change the climate or wipe out humanity, but it could destroy a city if it impacted it directly.

About the same size meteorite hit Arizona roughly 50,000 years ago leaving behind the deep crater that remains today.