Asteroid 2012 DA14 in record-breaking Earth pass
An asteroid as large as an Olympic swimming pool has raced past the Earth at a distance of just 27,700km (17,200mi), the closest ever predicted for an object of that size.
It passed far closer even than the geosynchronous satellites that orbit the Earth, but there was no risk of impacts or collisions.
Its closest approach was at 19:25 GMT, with Nasa broadcasting the moment live.
For regions in darkness, it is expected to remain visible until about midnight (00:00 GMT) through good binoculars or a telescope.
15 Feb 2013
- From the section Science & Environment