Asteroid 2024 YR4; Potential Impact on Earth or Moon Sparks Scientific Concern
Asteroid 2024 YR4, a potentially hazardous space rock, has drawn significant attention from scientists due to its increased likelihood of impacting Earth or the Moon. First spotted in December 2023, the asteroid has a 2.3 per cent chance of colliding with Earth in 2032, according to Nasa’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies (Cneos). However, new calculations by University of Arizona astronomer David Rankin suggest a 0.3 per cent chance it could instead strike the Moon.
If the asteroid were to hit the Moon, it could create a crater hundreds of metres wide, potentially ejecting debris into space. While some debris might rain back onto Earth, experts believe it would not pose a major threat. The Moon’s lack of atmosphere means it cannot slow down asteroids, making impacts more likely and more dramatic.
Nasa has emphasised that the asteroid’s trajectory remains uncertain, and further observations are expected to refine its path. The agency has noted that similar objects have often been downgraded from risk lists as more data becomes available. In the meantime, astronomers have been granted emergency access to the James Webb Space Telescope to study the asteroid’s size and composition, which are crucial for assessing its potential threat. The asteroid, estimated to be between 40 and 90 metres wide, could cause significant localised damage if it were to strike Earth, comparable to the 1908 Tunguska event in Siberia.
Global efforts to mitigate asteroid threats are underway, with China recently announcing plans to develop a planetary defence programme. The asteroid is expected to pass safely by Earth again in 2028, providing another opportunity for researchers to gather data and refine predictions.
Asteroid headed towards Earth could smash into the Moon, scientists say
Nasa expects chances of Earth collision to be revised down in future estimates
www.independent.co.uk
Nasa makes 'emergency decision' as likelihood of 'city-killing' asteroid hitting Earth increases
The asteroid could be up to 90 metres wide - roughly the size of London's Big Ben or the Statue of Liberty
www.gbnews.com
UK | Metro UK
UK News: Latest breaking headlines, top stories and updates | Metro UK
metro.co.uk
Don't Panic, But the Chances of That City Killer Asteroid Hitting Earth Just Almost Doubled
Chances of space rock 2024 YR4 hitting us just under eight years from now have risen substantially. Astronomers are intrigued.
futurism.com
Risk of football pitch-sized asteroid hitting Earth doubles in a week
Nasa says explosion would be 150 times greater than A-bomb dropped on Hiroshima with chances of it smashing into the planet now 2.3 per cent
www.telegraph.co.uk
Asteroid's odds of hitting Earth fluctuate as NASA tasked with studying it
Astronomers will use the Webb telescope to closely monitor the size and trajectory of an asteroid that has a slim chance of hitting Earth in 2032.
www.yahoo.com
Asteroid’s chances of hitting Earth in 2032 just got higher – but don’t panic
Space rock now has 2.3% risk of collision – up from 1.3% in December – but danger is likely to fall with more data
www.theguardian.com