NASA raises asteroid impact risk to highest level in over two decades
- Asteroid 2024 YR4 has a 3.1% chance of striking Earth in 2032, impacting over 100 million residents along its risk corridor.
- NASA's observations and calculations have significantly increased the estimated impact probability since early January.
- While the likelihood of a collision is rising, ongoing research and monitoring aim to mitigate potential threats.
NASA has increased the risk of a potentially catastrophic asteroid impact with Earth. Asteroid 2024 YR4, measuring between 40 and 90 meters in diameter, is on a trajectory that could lead it to the planet by December 22, 2032. Recent evaluations by NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) have raised the chance of collision to 3.1%, which equates to roughly one in thirty-two. This escalating probability has drawn attention, as more than 100 million people reside in areas that could fall within the impact risk corridor, which stretches from the Pacific Ocean across various continents. It is crucial to note that while the probability is rising, experts maintain that the chances of a collision, considering the asteroid's characteristics and NASA's deflection technology tested during the DART mission, remain minimal. Efforts are underway to monitor the asteroid's trajectory and acquire further data using telescopes, including the James Webb Space Telescope, which is set to observe the asteroid in March 2025. The situation highlights the ongoing need for planetary defense strategies against cosmic threats. Furthermore, countries like China are also considering their own response measures to ensure active monitoring of 2024 YR4, as international cooperation becomes imperative in addressing near-Earth objects.