Asteroid 2024 YR4: A Looming Threat for Christmas 2032?
A chilling graphic shows an asteroid, the size of a football pitch, hurtling towards Earth. Scientists warn that this enormous space rock, which could potentially wipe out humanity, is on a path to collide with our planet in seven years’ time.
The Threat’s Magnitude
Designated 2024 YR4, this asteroid measures between 40 and 100 meters in diameter. If it were to strike Earth, the consequences could be catastrophic. The impact could leave a crater comparable to that of Manchester, leading to widespread destruction and potentially the collapse of human civilization.
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Credit: Getty
Risk Assessment
According to the European Space Agency (ESA), 2024 YR4 is currently the highest-risk asteroid ever recorded. Scientists have calculated a 1 in 83 chance, or 1.2%, of the asteroid colliding with Earth. This probability places it at Level 3 on the Torino Impact Hazard Scale, indicating that while not certain, a collision could cause localized destruction.
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Credit: Daniel Bamberger
Asteroid’s Origin and Current Trajectory
The asteroid was first spotted by a monitoring telescope in Chile on Christmas Day. It is currently traveling away from Earth at a speed of 38,000 miles per hour. Projections indicate that it will return to Earth’s vicinity around Christmas 2032, specifically at 5:25 AM on December 22nd. While troubling, this probability remains low, with the most likely outcome being a near miss.
Preventive Measures and Detection
The International Asteroid Warning Network is already preparing for any potential mitigation actions. This preparation includes modeling the devastation an impact could cause and exploring ways to alter the asteroid’s trajectory. Two primary methods under consideration are deploying a nuclear bomb or a kinetic impactor—a spacecraft designed to collide with the asteroid.
