NASA Identifies Asteroid 2024 YR4 with a 1% chance of Earth Impact in 2032
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced the discovery of a new asteroid, named 2024 YR4, which has a slight chance of colliding with Earth in 2032. While the probability of impact is currently estimated at just 1%, the asteroid has captured the attention of scientists worldwide.
Discovered last month using a telescope in Chile, 2024 YR4 is estimated to be between 40 and 100 meters in diameter. According to Lana Paul Chodas, director of NASA’s Objects Study Center, “We are not worried at all.because the chance that it will miss the target is 99%… but it should be interesting.”
Scientists are closely monitoring the asteroid’s trajectory as it travels in a path that currently deviates from Earth. Though,Chodas and other experts emphasize that there is a notable possibility its risk of impact could reduce to 0% as more data is collected.
2024 YR4 made its closest approach to Earth on Christmas Day, passing at a distance of 800,000 kilometers—twice the distance between Earth and the Moon.During this time, scientists were able to gather crucial data over a two-day observation period.
chodas explained that researchers have been analyzing the asteroid’s travel patterns since 2016. ”if scientists get their image information at that time,they may be able to know whether it will hit our world or not,” he told the APV news agency. he added, “If we do not find the said information, analysis of probability is just slower. When we have to collect additional survey data.”
NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) predict that visibility of the asteroid will gradually fade over the next 2-3 months. However, scientists plan to use the most powerful telescopes to track its journey and will revisit its trajectory in 2028.
While the potential impact date is projected for December 22, 2032, it is still too early to determine which part of the world could be affected.Historical data from the ESA suggests that Earth experiences a significant asteroid collision every 2,000 to 3,000 years, with possibly devastating effects.
The good news? NASA assures that there are currently no large asteroids with a high probability of impacting Earth.
Key Facts About Asteroid 2024 YR4
| Attribute | Details |
|————————–|——————————————|
| Name | 2024 YR4 |
| Diameter | 40–100 meters |
| Discovery Date | December 2024 |
| Closest Approach | 800,000 km (Christmas 2024) |
| Potential Impact Date| December 22, 2032 |
| Impact Probability | 1% |
As scientists continue to monitor 2024 YR4, the world can rest assured that NASA and its international partners are vigilant in tracking near-Earth objects. For more updates on this and other space-related news, stay tuned to NASA’s official announcements.