Asteroids in orbit. Archival photo.
According to the Laboratory of Solar Astronomy of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IKI RAS), a celestial object comparable in size to the Chelyabinsk meteorite flew within the Moon`s orbit on Wednesday, approaching Earth to a distance of approximately 200,000 kilometers.
The official statement noted: “Asteroid 2025 QD8, measuring 22 meters in diameter, made a close approach to Earth today, passing within the Moon`s orbit at approximately 6 PM Moscow time.”
Researchers emphasized that this object was first detected on August 18, 2025, and had previously been unknown. The institute clarified that the space rock currently remains within the Moon`s orbit.
According to scientists, the asteroid`s dimensions are roughly consistent with the estimated size of the Chelyabinsk meteorite, which impacted Earth on February 15, 2013.
Representatives of IKI RAS further added that “the object posed no danger to Earth, passing the planet at a distance equivalent to approximately 0.6 of the lunar distance (over 200,000 kilometers).”
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth