Small Asteroid Flies Close Over Antarctica

A small asteroid made an unusually close pass by Earth on October 1, flying at a distance roughly equal to the orbit of the International Space Station (ISS). 

Known as 2025 TF, the asteroid passed just 400 kilometers above the planet’s surface, sparking interest among astronomers.

NASA confirmed that the flyby posed no threat. Measuring only 1.2 to 2.7 meters. 2025 TF is far too small to survive entry into the atmosphere intact.

Asteroid 2025 TF is roughly 1 to 3 m across and was first spotted by the Catalina Sky Survey a few hours after it had passed Earth.

Objects of this size can produce fireballs if they strike Earth’s atmosphere, and small meteorites can make it to the ground. pic.twitter.com/M037c7PKZU

— ESA Operations (@esaoperations) October 6, 2025

The asteroid’s closest approach occurred at 00:49 GMT. Detection came hours later, partly due to temporary closures at U.S. observatories, with the Catalina Sky Survey first tracking it at 06:35 GMT. 

The trajectory passed over Antarctica at an estimated altitude of 423 kilometers.

Experts note that close flybys by small asteroids are relatively common, occurring several times a week.