Astronomers utilized the James Webb Space Telescope to study asteroid 2024 YR4, confirming its size to be between 174 to 220 feet, smaller than previous estimates. This observation, the first of its kind for a target of this size, showcases the telescope's effectiveness in planetary defense. Although the threat of 2024 YR4 colliding with Earth in 2032 was ruled out, the study emphasizes the importance of continuous observation of near-Earth objects to prepare for potential future threats, given the vast number of asteroids in our Solar System.
"This is the smallest object targeted by the mission to date, and one of the smallest objects to have its size directly measured," Andy Rivkin said.
"While we are confident that 2024 YR4 will not hit Earth in 2032, there is still great value in making these observations and analyzing the results," Rivkin added.
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