Asteroid 2025 RM1 flew past Earth at 0.27 LD on September 3, 2025

Asteroid 2025 RM1, a newly discovered near-Earth object, flew past Earth at a minimum distance of 0.27 lunar distances (0.0006898 AU), equivalent to 103 200 km (64 140 miles) from Earth’s center, at 18:26 UTC on September 3, 2025. The asteroid approached Earth at a relative velocity of 12.55 km/s at the time of closest approach.

Based on its absolute magnitude (H) of 24.623, asteroid 2025 RM1 is estimated to be approximately 38 to 85 m (125 to 279 feet) in diameter, though the precise size depends on assumptions about its albedo.

2025 RM1 belongs to the Apollo group of near-Earth asteroids. Its orbit is characterized by an eccentricity of 0.448, a semi-major axis of 1.75 AU, a perihelion distance of 0.963 AU, and an inclination of 16.2 degrees to the ecliptic. These values indicate a moderately eccentric and inclined orbit relative to typical near-Earth asteroids.

No physical parameters such as albedo or rotation period have been published for this object. It is not classified as potentially hazardous according to current NASA/JPL criteria.

2025 RM1 was first observed on September 4, 2025, and last observed on September 6, 2025, representing a very short observational arc of just two days. The orbit carries a condition code of 7, denoting it as uncertain or preliminary and subject to refinement as further observations are obtained.

Several other asteroids recently passed within 1 lunar distance of Earth. Notably, asteroid 2025 QK17, estimated at roughly 3–6 m (10–20 feet) in diameter, flew by at just 0.26 LD (39 000 km / 24 200 miles) at 14:40 UTC on August 27, 2025. Asteroid 2025 PF2, likely 2–4 m (6.5–13 feet) across, approached even closer at 0.06 LD (8 950 km / 5 560 miles) at 00:13 UTC on August 15, 2025. These close approaches, while common, provide valuable opportunities to refine asteroid detection and characterization techniques.