It’s possible that an asteroid as large as 295 feet is directly approaching Earth, but don’t flee just yet.
The asteroid, 2024 YR4, was initially observed on Dec. 27 by a telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile, which is financed by ANASA.
The Center for Near Earth Object Studies claims that because of its close proximity to Earth, the object was bright enough to be picked up in asteroidal surveys.
The asteroid is currently 30 million miles from Earth and is continuing to move farther away on its orbital route around the sun, according to observations and data collected since the first sighting on January 31.
The likelihood that the asteroid will approach Earth and make a crash landing there in December 2032 is greater than one percent. However, as astronomers gather and examine more data, they anticipate that the asteroid’s future track and impact probability will shift.
For what reason is this asteroid in the news?
According to Davide Farnocchia, a navigation engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Center for Near Earth Object Studies, it is not unusual to find an asteroid whose trajectory might be near Earth.
A newly discovered asteroid’s course can only be roughly calculated, and it may not be feasible to rule out a collision with Earth years in the future, according to Farnocchia. A predicted impact may usually be ruled out as the orbit gets more precise with subsequent measurements.
The fact that most asteroids have a 1% or less probability of striking Earth, particularly ones that aren’t big enough to wreak significant harm, is what sets 2024 YR4 apart, he said.
Farnocchia asserted that the likelihood of 2024 YR4 missing Earth in 2032 is far greater than that of impact.
In the improbable case that the asteroid’s course is in the direction of Earth, it would wind up anywhere along a risk corridor that crosses the Atlantic Ocean, the Arabian Sea, the northern South American continent, the eastern Pacific Ocean, and South Asia.
On the Sentry website, astronomers will provide updates on the asteroid’s projected trajectory and likelihood of collision.
Do we need to worry?
According to Farnocchia, people shouldn’t worry too much about asteroids in general.
For decades, NASA has been searching the skies for asteroids with the help of foreign partners.
According to him, the most of the massive asteroids that could destroy Earth have been found so far and have been proven to be harmless.
According to the US Geological Survey, an asteroid is a meteorite when it collides with Earth after traveling from a close orbit or the outer solar system.
Before small asteroids ever reach the Earth’s surface and turn into meteorites, they usually burn up in the upper atmosphere.
According to the USGS, slightly larger asteroids may pass through the atmosphere but frequently fall in places that result in little to no immediate damage. A lot of meteorites wind up in open spaces or the ocean.
What might occur if an asteroid strikes Earth?
Asteroids in our solar system are presently being studied by scientists to determine the hazards of an impact and their likelihood of colliding with Earth.
A group of scientists assessed the immediate implications of an asteroid in 2021. They included shock waves that might destroy buildings and forests, thermal radiation that could ignite the surrounding area, and tsunami waves that could affect the ocean.
Changing the way the ecosystem develops could be one of the long-term repercussions. The paper claims that bare soil alters the way erosion occurs in the ecosystem by allowing more rainwater runoff. Impact or air burst dust can enter the atmosphere and have an impact on the climate.
“The impact of a 213-foot meteor lofted debris during the Tunguska event in Siberia in 1908, resulting in bright nights for several days over Europe and Asia, from Siberia to the Atlantic Ocean,” the USGS said.
The 2013 Chelyabinsk meteor, which had a diameter of 66 feet, was another noteworthy incident. Although Chelyabinsk’s arrival resulted in an air burst, the region where it crashed was only slightly damaged.
According to the USGS, that air explosion produced a shock wave that caused significant damage to homes and buildings and approximately 1,500 injuries to humans. The incident illustrated the wider threat posed by bigger meteors.
According to the USGS, the size and makeup of the meteor determine how severe an asteroid crash will be.
— Karen Garcia The Times of Los Angeles (TNS)
Los Angeles Times, 2025. Check it out at latimes.com. Tribune Content Agency, LLC is the distributor.
