CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Scientists have given us good news about a recently found asteroid. After two months of careful watching, they have nearly eliminated the threat from asteroid 2024 YR4. NASA and the European Space Agency confirmed this update on Tuesday.
Initially, there were concerns about a possible impact in 2032, with odds reaching nearly 3%. However, ESA has now reduced those odds to just 0.001%. NASA’s calculations show a slightly higher risk of 0.0027%. In short, 2024 YR4 is expected to safely pass by Earth in 2032, and there’s no risk of it hitting us for the next hundred years.
But there is still a small chance—1.7%—that the asteroid could strike the moon on December 22, 2032. Telescopes around the world will continue to monitor its path. The Webb Space Telescope will take a closer look next month to measure its size. Soon, the asteroid will be harder to see as it moves away from us.
Discovered in December, asteroid 2024 YR4 measures between 130 feet and 300 feet (about 40 to 90 meters) across. It has a regular orbit that brings it near Earth every four years.
NASA noted that while this asteroid no longer poses a significant threat, studying 2024 YR4 has provided valuable scientific insights.
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Source linkAerospace and defense industry, Aerospace technology, Science, Space exploration, Asteroids, Planets, Astronomy, Article, 119164175
