A small asteroid, designated 2025 TF, recently performed a remarkably close flyby of Earth, passing over Antarctica at an altitude of approximately 420 kilometers (260 miles) on October 1, 2025. This event has been recorded as the second-closest asteroid approach to our planet on record. The asteroid, estimated to be between 1.2 and 2.7 meters (4 to 9 feet) in diameter, was detected by the Catalina Sky Survey mere hours after its closest approach. It has an orbital period of approximately 2.06 years. Despite its proximity, 2025 TF posed no threat, as objects of its size typically disintegrate upon atmospheric entry.
The flyby occurred at 00:49 UTC on October 1, 2025, with the asteroid's trajectory bringing it to an altitude of approximately 420 kilometers (260 miles) above the surface. This makes it the second-closest recorded flyby, surpassed only by 2020 VT4, which passed at an altitude of about 370 kilometers (230 miles) above the surface on November 13, 2020. Since the beginning of 2025, over 100 asteroids have been detected passing within one lunar distance of Earth, with 25 of those occurring in September 2025 alone.
The detection of 2025 TF, less than six hours after its closest approach, by astronomers using the Bok Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory, demonstrates the improving capabilities in identifying these celestial visitors. However, the fact that it was discovered post-flyby also emphasizes the persistent challenge of detecting smaller, swift-moving near-Earth objects before they reach their closest point to our planet. This situation highlights the necessity for ongoing advancements in sky monitoring technologies and refined planetary defense protocols.
Efforts to enhance planetary defense are continuously evolving. NASA's DART mission, for instance, successfully tested the kinetic impactor technique in 2022 by intentionally colliding a spacecraft with an asteroid to alter its trajectory. Such missions are crucial for developing strategies to mitigate potential threats from asteroids. The ongoing development of advanced detection systems and international cooperation are vital components in our collective ability to safeguard Earth from potential asteroid impacts.