NASA's Webb telescope captures asteroid 2024 YR4 images as fears diminish
- A new asteroid, 2024 YR4, was discovered and initially assessed to have a 3% chance of colliding with Earth in 2032.
- Further observations reduced the threat level to nearly zero, indicating a very low chance of hitting Earth, with a slight risk of impacting the moon.
- NASA's Webb Space Telescope provided images of the asteroid, enhancing understanding of its characteristics and contributing to future asteroid tracking efforts.
In late 2023, the asteroid known as 2024 YR4 was discovered and quickly gained attention due to its potential threat to Earth. Initial assessments suggested that there was a 3% chance that the asteroid could collide with Earth in the year 2032. This prediction caused considerable concern among scientists and the public alike. The asteroid has a diameter of nearly 200 feet, making it almost the height of a 15-story building, and it swings by Earth every four years. Nevertheless, as additional observations were made, the perceived threat from 2024 YR4 was significantly reduced, and it was determined that the chance of it impacting Earth was virtually zero. However, experts noted a slight possibility of the asteroid hitting the moon instead during its next pass in 2032. Underlining the importance of continuous monitoring of near-Earth objects, NASA and the European Space Agency collaborated to release images of the asteroid taken by the Webb Space Telescope. The telescope’s observations are noteworthy for being the first to capture such a small object, which is the smallest ever observed by this remarkable observatory. The fuzzy dot captured in the images signifies 2024 YR4's potential challenges for observation and study. Johns Hopkins University astronomer Andrew Rivkin emphasized that the observations taken by Webb provide invaluable practice for understanding not only 2024 YR4 but also for assessing other asteroids that may pose a threat in the future. Ground-based telescopes were also tracking 2024 YR4, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the asteroid's trajectory and characteristics. This ongoing analysis and vigilance ensure scientists remain prepared to evaluate the dangers of similar-sized asteroids that may approach Earth in years to come. The collaboration between various space agencies marks a significant advancement in how humanity attempts to safeguard the planet from potential asteroid impacts.