Astronomers say it will be a close shave for earth on Friday, as an asteroid half as big as a football field passes very close to the planet.

Kirkpatrick Planetarium Director Wayne Harris-Wyrick in Oklahoma City said the asteroid, namd 2012 DA14,  will come between earth and some weather and communication satellites in orbit.

"What's different about this one from all the others you're heard about is that this one's going to come really close to the planet," Harris-Wyrick told KTOK.

"There are asteroids out there that we don't have as precise data as we do on this one that may some day come barrelling straight at earth. Ask any dinosaur what happens when one its the earth," He said.

Harris-Wyrick said it's the closest asteroid encounter every recorded.

He said the asteroid won't be visible from Oklahoma, but NASA astronomers will track it. He said people in South America and Australia will have the best shot at seeing it.

Astronomers say its next close encounter with earth will occur in 2046.

(Kirkpatrick Planetarium Director Wayne Harris-Wyrick.)