A newly discovered asteroid, now designated 2025 TF, made a stunningly close pass by Earth this week—coming within just 266 miles of the planet’s surface, roughly the altitude of the International Space Station.
The event, which took place on the night of September 30, was confirmed by the European Space Agency (ESA). Scientists described it as one of the closest asteroid approaches ever recorded, second only to a similar encounter in 2020 when another space rock—known as 2020 VT4—flew just 230 miles above the South Pacific near French Polynesia.
According to ESA officials, the object zipped over Antarctica at around 9 p.m. ET, but due to its small size—estimated between 3 and 10 feet wide—it posed no threat to Earth or its inhabitants.
“Objects of this size don’t pose a danger to the planet,” the agency explained, “but they can produce spectacular fireballs when entering the atmosphere, sometimes resulting in the discovery of small meteorites.”
Asteroid Detected Hours After Its Flyby
The asteroid was first spotted by astronomers at the Catalina Sky Survey, a NASA-funded project based at the University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. Interestingly, the detection occurred a few hours after the object had already completed its close approach.
Follow-up observations were conducted by European astronomers using the Las Cumbres Observatory telescope in Siding Spring, Australia, helping confirm the asteroid’s trajectory and proximity to Earth.
The Catalina Sky Survey, which specializes in finding and tracking near-Earth objects, has been instrumental in identifying thousands of asteroids that occasionally pass near our planet. However, due to their small size and high velocity, asteroids like 2025 TF often go unnoticed until after they’ve passed.
A Reminder of Earth’s Vulnerability—and the Power of Modern Detection Systems
Although 2025 TF was too small to cause damage, its close approach serves as a stark reminder of how frequently near-Earth objects (NEOs) come within striking distance. NASA and ESA continue to improve their detection systems, but smaller asteroids—those under 10 feet—remain the hardest to track due to their faint visibility and rapid movement.
To put this in perspective, the so-called “city killer” asteroid 2024 YR, which scientists have been monitoring closely, measures nearly 300 feet in diameter—roughly the height of a 30-story building. That asteroid, large enough to cause catastrophic damage if it struck Earth, currently poses no immediate threat but could pass close to the Moon.
Government Shutdown Pauses NASA Commentary
NASA officials have not yet commented publicly on 2025 TF’s close flyby, as the agency remains shuttered amid a U.S. government shutdown. However, experts note that the event underscores the importance of continuous asteroid monitoring—even during periods of political and operational disruption.
The discovery and tracking of near-Earth objects remain a top priority for both U.S. and European space agencies as they work toward enhancing planetary defense initiatives designed to detect, analyze, and, if necessary, deflect potentially hazardous asteroids.
While this particular space rock passed safely, its approach ranks among the most memorable in recorded history—showcasing the extraordinary precision of modern space observation and the ever-present need to watch the skies.
