The asteroid YR4's odds of hitting Earth have risen to 2.1%, translating to a 1-in-48 chance of an impact. While rated a 3 on the Torino scale, suggesting potential localized damage, it isn't an existential threat. Initially reported in late January, its risk may diminish as monitoring continues. NASA's Kelly Fast emphasizes the low probability, asserting it's not something to fear. Future efforts, including the Near-Earth Object Surveyor telescope, aim to enhance detection of potential threats, particularly darker asteroids, ensuring proactive planetary defense measures.
Even though it's a very, very low impact probability, it's not often that something this size even reaches that level.
It's so early that, at 2%, it's at that level where, okay, planetary defenders of the world, keep an eye out.
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