Paul Chodas

Scientists didn't know where it might hit, though New York, Denver and a wide swath of west and central Africa were all in the path of potential destruction. Paul Chodas called the situation "uncertain" and "unprecedented."

As earthlings in the US get ready to don Halloween costumes on October 31, asteroid 2015 TB145, dubbed the 'Great Pumpkin' in a reference to the holiday, will fly past the planet at a safe distance, NASA said.

Scientists didn't know where it might hit, though New York, Denver and a wide swath of west and central Africa were all in the path of potential destruction. Paul Chodas called the situation "uncertain" and "unprecedented."

As earthlings in the US get ready to don Halloween costumes on October 31, asteroid 2015 TB145, dubbed the 'Great Pumpkin' in a reference to the holiday, will fly past the planet at a safe distance, NASA said.