- NASA has confirmed a 2.3% chance that asteroid 2024 YR4 could collide with Earth in December 2032, posing a significant risk
- The asteroid, measuring between 40 to 100 metres wide, could potentially impact regions spanning from northern South America to southern Asia and Africa
- NASA continues to monitor the asteroid closely, reassuring that any potential damage would be localised rather than catastrophic
Washington, D.C., USA – NASA has confirmed the possibility that an asteroid named 2024 YR4 could strike the Earth in just seven years, with a 1 in 43 chance, equating to a 2.3% probability.
The asteroid, which measured between 40 and 100 metres wide and was dubbed 'the city destroyer,' passed by Earth at 828,800 kilometres on Christmas Day 2024.
It is expected to return, getting uncomfortably close in December 2032.
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Potential impact zones and risk assessment
According to NASA, ongoing observations of the asteroid’s orbit will improve the understanding of its 'impact probability.'
David Rankin, an engineer with NASA’s Catalina Sky Survey Project, has mapped out a 'risk corridor,' highlighting that if 2024 YR4 were on a collision course with Earth, it could potentially land within a band of land ranging from northern South America across the Pacific Ocean to southern Asia, the Arabian Sea, and Africa. Countries that could be in danger are:
- India
- Pakistan
- Bangladesh
- Ethiopia
- Sudan
- Nigeria
- Venezuela
- Colombia
- Ecuador
Monitoring and future projections
Yahoo has reported that NASA reassured that the damage would be 'localised' rather than resulting in a dinosaur-style extinction event.
However, they cautioned that "it is also possible its impact probability will continue to rise." Should the asteroid collide with Earth in 2032, it would hit at an estimated speed of about 17 kilometres per second (approximately 38,000 miles per hour).
The space agency continues to keep a close eye on 2024 YR4 as an object of interest, but they advise that it's not something to lose sleep over just yet.
Why should people be worried about asteroid?
The idea of an asteroid hitting Earth can be quite alarming, experts say, but it's important to understand the context and the actual risks involved.
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People might be concerned due to the potential for damage, as an impact could cause significant damage depending on the size and speed of the asteroid.
Smaller asteroids might burn up in the atmosphere, but larger ones could cause local or even global devastation.
However, it's important to note that space agencies like NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) are constantly monitoring these objects and working on ways to mitigate potential threats.
Huge rock from sun capable of destroying cities predicted
Legit.ng earlier reported that a newly discovered asteroid, designated 2024 YR4, has a 1-in-83 chance of striking Earth in December 2032. The asteroid, estimated to be 196 feet (60 meters) wide, is currently 27 million miles away.
Experts have looked at potential impact locations, raising concerns about the possible devastating consequences.
An engineer with NASA’s Catalina Sky Survey Project mapped out a 'risk corridor' for the asteroid's potential impact.
