While this is considered a “close approach” by interstellar standards — NASA defines near-Earth objects (NEOs) as those that come within 4.6 million miles — we’re not about to get some cosmic coal shoved down our stockings so to speak.

NASA will deploy cutting-edge technology to better understand the inner workings of 2024 XN1 during its near-Earth passage.

XN1, nicknamed the "Christmas Eve asteroid," will pass Earth at a speed of 14,743 mph on December 24, reaching its closest point at 02:56 am GMT.