... Flying above the Earth's obscuring layer of atmosphere on the Space Shuttle Columbia during.. Asteroids . ... The asteroid designated 1997 XF11 had been predicted to come uncomfortably close, but new estimates place its passing beyond the orbit of the Moon. This earth-approaching asteroid was discovered by SpaceWatch astronomer Jim Scotti in December of last year. Moon Shadow . ... When the Moon's shadow reached out and touched the Earth last month, the result was a Solar Eclipse. ...