WASHINGTON — Have no fear: The White House says an asteroid more than 1 1/2 miles long poses no threat to planet Earth.
The big rock called Asteroid 1998 QE2 was making its closest approach to Earth on Friday, keeping a safe distance of 3.6 million miles, or 15 times the distance between Earth and the moon.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest was asked about the asteroid during a briefing. He says scientists have concluded the asteroid “poses no threat to planet Earth.”
He added, to laughter, “I never really thought I’d be standing up here saying that.”
