Astrophysicist Brad Tucker says the scientific community will “keep tabs on” an asteroid twice the size of the Empire State Building, which is set to pass by earth this week.

The asteroid, named Asteroid 7482, is one kilometre wide and travelling at 19 kilometres per second.

Dr Tucker said the asteroid is classed as an “earth-crossing asteroid” – meaning it will get close to Earth and eventually cross its path around the sun.

It is estimated Asteroid 7482 will pass 1.9 million kilometres from the earth, about six times the distance the moon is from the earth.

“In terms of space, it’s still relatively nearby,” Mr Tucker said.