How close will asteroid 2023 Bu pass to Earth?

Rendering of how close asteroid 2023 BU will pass to Earth. Nasa said the newly discovered asteroid would pass 2,200 miles (3,600km) above the southern tip of South America at 7.27pm US eastern time on Thursday (12.27am GMT on Friday). Photograph: Nasa JPL/Caltech

What is 2023 Bu?

About the size of a minibus, the space rock, known as 2023 BU, whipped over the southern tip of South America just before 00:30am GMT. With a closest approach of 3,600km (2,200 miles), it counts as a close shave. And it illustrates how there are still asteroids of significant size lurking near Earth that remain to be detected.

Who discovered 2023 Bu?

2023 BU was unknown to NASA, or anyone, until last Saturday. Gennadiy Borisov, an amateur astronomer in Crimea, noticed the asteroid from the MARGO Observatory, a setup of telescopes that he has used to discover other interstellar objects.

How did Bu change its orbit around the Sun in 2023?

It produced a shockwave that shattered windows on the ground. Scientists at the US space agency Nasa say 2023 BU's orbit around the Sun has been modified by its encounter with Earth. Our planet's gravity pulled on it and adjusted its path through space.