An asteroid called 2012 TC4 is due to make a staggeringly close pass of Earth on October 12. 

Nasa earth defence specialists are keenly monitoring the close approach of the asteroid, with fears it could pass as near as just 4,200 miles away.

It was feared the asteroid could strike satellites orbiting Earth, but scientists now believe it will be 5,000 miles out from our planet.

Rolf Densing, head of the European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany, said: "It's damn close. 

"The farthest satellites are 36,000 kilometres (22,400 miles) out, so this is indeed a close miss.

"As close as it is right now, I think this prediction is pretty safe, meaning that it will miss."

YouTube

This has not stopped YouTube doom-mongers taking to the internet with scare stories about the huge rock.

YouTuber Igor Kryan said in a promotional blurb for a video on the asteroid: "Something huge from deep space coming to earth and it is coming closer than distance between New York & Tokyo. 

"On October 12 New Yorkers will be closer to the object 2012 TC4 than to Tokyo. 

"It will come thousands of times closer to Earth than feared Francesca mega asteroid."

Nasa has insisted we have nothing to fear from the close flyby of 2012 TC4, which is as big as a tower block and traveling towards us at more than 40,000mph.