Multi-Billion Dollar Space Rock: Asteroid That Will Pass Earth on Feb. 15 Full of Valuable Metals

Billions of dollars in valuable metals is expected to go zipping by the Earth on Friday.

An asteroid the size of a cruise ship — 2012 DA14 — that will bypass our planet Feb. 15 could be worth almost $200 billion, according to prospective asteroid miners.

In relative space distances, the asteroid is cutting it close to Earth — 17,200 miles, or 15 minutes, from our planet. But miners say the asteroid's orbit makes it too difficult to chase down, according to a report posted by Fox News.  

Click here to watch Bill Nye, "The Science Guy," explain the effect an asteroid impact could have on the earth.  

Officials with Deep Space Industries, a company that plans to mine asteroids for gold, platinum and other minerals, say the rock could contain $65 billion of recoverable water and $130 billion in metals.

What do you think about asteroid mining ventures? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. 

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