Astronomers utilizing the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) discovered that the asteroid 2024 YR4 is 60 meters in diameter, larger than earlier estimates of 40 meters. This city-sized rock poses alarming prospects, with a 3.1% chance of impact with Earth—the highest ever recorded for a large asteroid. While NASA has confirmed Earth is safe from impact, there is still a 2% risk of collision with the moon. The urgency of precise measurements was deemed critical by NASA to assess potential damage from this approaching asteroid, scheduled to fly close to Earth on December 22, 2032.
The finding shows 2024 YR4 is 60 metres in diameter, significantly larger than the previous estimate of 40 metres, comparable to a 15-story building.
With a 3.1 per cent impact probability, 2024 YR4 represents the highest odds ever recorded for a large asteroid potentially hitting the Earth.
NASA’s decision to use the JWST for precise measurements followed alarming predictions that 2024 YR4 could threaten the Earth, leading to crucial updates.
Despite ruling out an Earth impact, there remains a disturbing two per cent chance of 2024 YR4 colliding with the moon, requiring ongoing vigilance.
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