Home / Science / Asteroid 2025 TP5 to Skim Past Earth at Quarter Lunar Distance
Asteroid 2025 TP5 to Skim Past Earth at Quarter Lunar Distance
16 Oct
Summary
- Asteroid 2025 TP5 to fly by Earth on October 15, 2025
- Approach distance of about 60,328 miles, a quarter of lunar distance
- Asteroid detection by ATLAS system highlights monitoring capabilities
On October 15, 2025, a newly identified asteroid named 2025 TP5 is set to make a close flyby of Earth. According to data from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the asteroid will pass by our planet at approximately 4:09 pm EDT (2009 UTC) at a minimum distance of about 60,328 miles (97,089 kilometers). This distance is roughly a quarter of the average 238,855 miles (384,400 kilometers) between Earth and the Moon.
The asteroid, estimated to measure around 54 feet (16 meters) in diameter, was discovered just two days prior to its closest approach by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) at Mauna Kea in Hawaii. This highlights the capabilities of modern asteroid detection systems, which are funded by NASA and operated by the University of Hawaii. Despite its size and close encounter, researchers confirm that 2025 TP5 poses no threat to Earth.
Following its flyby of our planet, the asteroid will also make a close approach to the Moon on October 16, coming as near as 74,616 miles (120,084 kilometers) from the lunar surface. This dual close encounter emphasizes the complex orbital dynamics of near-Earth objects and the importance of continuous observation to enhance our understanding of the solar system's dynamic environment.
