A car-sized asteroid flew safely past Earth on February 17, 2026.
At about 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) across, this asteroid is roughly the size of a small car.
NASA stated this small asteroid posed no threat to Earth on February 17, 2026.
If it entered Earth's atmosphere, it would create a vivid fireball, possibly scattering small meteorites if fragments survived.
A 3-meter asteroid exploded over Grand Teton National Park in 2021, producing a dramatic but harmless fireball.
Apophis will pass extremely close in 2029.
Near-Earth asteroids are remnants from the solar system's formation, and NASA tracks over 35,000 of them.
Small asteroids like this help scientists refine detection techniques without posing serious threats.