An asteroid about the size of a school bus has passed by the Earth within about 60,000 kilometers (37,282 miles) of the planet, less than a fifth of the distance to the Moon.
According to US-based astronomers, the space rock, named 2012 BX34, dashed past the Earth on Friday, making its closest approach at about 1600 GMT.
"It's one of the closest approaches recorded," said Gareth Williams, associate director of the US-based Minor Planet Center.
The asteroid, estimated to be about 11 meters (36 feet) in diameter, was first detected on Wednesday.
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