Learn about Earth's close encounter with asteroid 2012 DA14 on February 15, 2013, in this video from NASA. Asteroid 2012 DA14 passed safely about 17,000 miles (27,000 kilometers) from Earth's surface. Its orbit was well known and scientists were not worried about a possible collision. NASA observes and tracks near-Earth objects to look for impact threats and carry out scientific study. In the future, near-Earth objects could be used as sources of raw materials. The largest impact event on Earth in recorded history occurred in 1908 in Tunguska, Russia, when an object about the size of 2012 DA14 exploded in the atmosphere.

This video is available in both English and Spanish audio, along with corresponding closed captions. This resource is part of the NASA Planetary Sciences Collection.