(NEWSnet/AP) — An asteroid will whiz harmlessly past Earth this weekend.

Called 2024 MK, the rock will make its closest approach early Saturday, traveling about three-fourths of the distance between Earth and the moon.

It was spotted two weeks ago by a South Africa observatory.

The asteroid is about 393 feet to 853 feet in diameter. Asteroids of that size come this close about once every 25 years,  said Davide Farnocchia with NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies.

“We’re going to see a few of those during our lifetimes, but it’s not something that happens every other day,” he said.

Skywatchers will need to grab a small telescope, since the asteroid isn’t bright enough to be seen with the naked eye. It will move quickly across the southern sky, making it difficult to spot.

Viewers in the Southern Hemisphere will have the best chance of seeing it, since the asteroid will appear higher overhead. Those in the U.S. may want to wait until Saturday night, when the asteroid may appear less bright, but will be easier to see without interference from sunlight.

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