The asteroid 2024 YR4 has recently been noticed by scientists as a possible danger to Earth. This space rock was discovered in December 2024 and has a 3.1% chance of hitting Earth on 22 December 2032.
Even though there were low possibilities, it is among the highest known for a near-Earth object. To determine whether 2024 YR4 is an actual risk, NASA and other space organizations are keep monitoring it.
Asteroid 2024 YR4
Asteroid 2024 YR4 is a member of the Apollo asteroids, a class of space rocks that cross Earth’s orbit on their journey through space. It is similar in size to the asteroid that caused the Tunguska explosion in 1908, with an estimated width of 40 to 90 meters.
Potential Impact of Asteroid 2024 YR4
A 3.1% chance of impact may not seem like much, but it is higher than the majority of near-Earth asteroid risks. If 2024 YR4 were to hit Earth, the effects could be serious:
- The impact would release energy equal to eight megatons of TNT, which is 500 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb.
- A city could be destroyed by a land impact in a populated area.
- It might cause huge tsunamis if it hit an ocean.
- If it exploded in the atmosphere, like the 2013 Chelyabinsk event, it could shatter windows and damage buildings across a large area.
How NASA Tracks Asteroid 2024 YR4
Strong telescopes and radar systems are being used by NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO) and other space agencies to study the asteroid’s path. Some key monitoring efforts include:
- In order to better understand the asteroid’s path, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will observe it in March 2025.
- The International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) is a multinational team that works with NASA to monitor the asteroid’s path.
- The ESA Hera mission is researching asteroid deflection methods that may be useful if future action is required.
What Could Happen If the Asteroid Hits
Three potential impact scenarios have been defined by NASA:
- Impact on the Ocean: If the asteroid falls into the ocean, huge tsunamis could be produced, flooding cities along the coast.
- Impact on Cities: Like a nuclear explosion, it could cause major harm if it hits a city.
- Atmospheric Explosion: The explosion could still cause damage over a large area, breaking windows and injuring people if it burned up in the sky before hitting the ground.
Ways to Prevent an Asteroid Impact
Scientists are working on ways to prevent an asteroid impact. Some possible solutions include:
- Deflection Missions: A small asteroid’s path was successfully changed by NASA’s DART mission in 2022.
- Emergency Plans: Similar to hurricane or earthquake preparations, governments might move people from areas at risk if an impact appears likely.
- Private Space Companies: Businesses like Blue Origin and SpaceX are investigating methods for protecting against asteroids.
FAQs
What is Asteroid 2024 YR4?
A near-Earth Apollo asteroid, 40–90 meters wide, with a small risk of impact in 2032.
How likely is it to hit Earth?
Scientists estimate Asteroid 2024 YR4 has a 3.1% chance to hit earth on 22nd December 2032.
What damage could Asteroid 2024 YR4 cause?
Asteroid 2024 YR-4 could destroy a city, trigger tsunamis, or cause an airburst like the 2013 Chelyabinsk event.
How is NASA tracking it?
NASA, JWST, and global space agencies are monitoring 2024 Asteroid YR4 path using telescopes and radar.
Peter Robinson is a news writer with 6 years of experience, specializing in Government Aid and the latest news. He focuses on explaining government programs and current events in an easy-to-understand way. Peter is dedicated to keeping readers informed with reliable and up-to-date information.