CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The Webb Space Telescope has recently taken remarkable photos of an asteroid known as 2024 YR4. This asteroid gained attention earlier this year when it was flagged as a potential threat to Earth. It was initially thought to have a 3% chance of colliding with our planet in 2032. However, more observations have since clarified that the risk is now nearly zero, although there remains a small possibility it could hit the moon instead. This asteroid makes a pass by Earth every four years.
NASA and the European Space Agency shared the images, showing the asteroid as a small fuzzy dot in the vastness of space. At around 200 feet (60 meters) wide, it’s comparable in height to a 15-story building. Notably, it is the smallest object the powerful Webb telescope has ever observed.
Astronomer Andrew Rivkin from Johns Hopkins University emphasized the significance of these observations. He described them as “invaluable” practice for tracking other asteroids that could pose a threat in the future. Ground-based telescopes have also been monitoring 2024 YR4 in recent months.
Rivkin highlighted that this observation offers insights into what similar-sized asteroids might be like. Understanding these asteroids can aid scientists in preparing for future potential impacts.
Looking back, the public’s concern about asteroids has grown significantly in recent years. A survey by the Pew Research Center found that about 75% of Americans feel worried about an asteroid hitting Earth. This reflects a broader trend where awareness of space threats is rising alongside advancements in space observation technology.
For more details on the Webb Space Telescope, you can visit NASA’s official site here.
Check out this related article: NASA Discovers First Glimmers of Light from the Universe’s Birth After the Big Bang
Source linkAsteroids, Space exploration, Aerospace technology, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Aerospace and defense industry, Astronomy, Planets, Andrew Rivkin, Science
