The 60ft space rock, known as 2014 RC or Pitbull, at its closest point will fly past our planet one-tenth of the distance to the moon.

NASA said amateur astronomers might be able to catch a glimpse of the asteroid whizz past with a small telescope.

The space agency said the rock will roughly be over New Zealand at the time of its nearest approach around 7.18pm GMT.

NASA said: "Its close approach creates a unique opportunity for researchers to observe and learn more about asteroids."

Scientists said that the asteroid does not appear to post a threat to Earth or its satellites.

They added that the rock's orbit will bring it back into our planet's neighbourhood in the future.

NASA said they will monitor's its future movement but no forthcoming danger to Earth has been identified.

The news comes as experts issued a shock warning that asteroids could rain down on Earth for the next 100 years.

A previously unknown asteroid belt has been located in deep space and is now hurtling towards our part of the solar system.

It means a 'global killer' could collide with Earth as soon as 2020, wiping out life as we know it and changing the climate for millennia.

The terrifying predictions came as NASA revealed disturbing new data showing 400 impacts are expected between 2017 and 2113, based on new observational data of objects seen in space over the past 60 days.

Most will have a maximum diameter of around 100 metres - the size of seven double decker buses - and the potential to cause significant damage.

But concerned scientists warned a colossal "monster" is also heading our way, with one 'mega' asteroid threatening earth in just SIX years.

It follows claims this week by physicist Professor Brian Cox that a bus-sized asteroid, named 2014 EC, came within 61,637 kilometres (38,300 miles) of Earth in March.

• You can watch the Pitbull asteroid blasting past earth live on Slooh