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Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Giant 196-foot-wide killer asteroid could strike Earth in 2032, experts warn
A giant space rock is on a potential collision course with Earth in 2032. Dubbed 2024 YR4, this asteroid poses a small but concerning threat to Earth. It is estimated to be 196 feet (60 meters) wide, roughly half the length of a football field. reported that this near-Earth object (NEO) has a "1 in 83" chance of hitting our planet on December 22, 2032. This asteroid presents one of the highest risks of impact ever observed for an object of this size. According to NASA's Center of NEO Studies (CNEOS), the asteroid is projected to fly within 66,000 miles (106,200 kilometers) of Earth on this date. It is currently located 27 million miles away from Earth. The asteroid 2024 YR4 was first spotted by telescopes in Rio Hurtado, Chile, under the ATLAS project. Despite the initial estimate of a close approach, uncertainties remain in the asteroid's orbital path. These uncertainties raise the possibility that the calculated close encounter could, in fact, result in a direct impact on Earth. Due to its collision risk, the asteroid 2024 YR4 has been elevated to the top of both the European Space Agency's and NASA's impact risk lists. The asteroid has been assigned a rating of three on the Torino risk scale. This rating signifies a close encounter that demands active monitoring by astronomers due to its greater than 1% chance of a potential impact. However, astronomers are urging people not to worry yet. 'Impact probability is still very low, and the most likely outcome will be a close approaching rock that misses us," David Rankin, Catalina Sky Survey engineer and asteroid hunter, told Rankin suggests that asteroid 2024 YR4 is likely comparable in size to the objects responsible for the 1908 Tunguska event and the Meteor Crater. If it does hit Earth, it could potentially cause a powerful explosion high in the atmosphere, known as an "airburst." In addition, it could create a large crater upon impact with the ground. The impact effects are anticipated to be more localized than widespread. Reportedly, the current predicted impact zone, or "risk corridor," extends from South America across the Atlantic Ocean and reaches South Africa. Experts highlight that the asteroid's orbit is still poorly understood, making a definitive prediction of impact impossible. The current impact probability is low, and a miss is the most likely scenario. "This impact corridor estimation will eventually go stale with new observations and better orbit calculations," he informed The potential damage is highly dependent on the asteroid's characteristics, like size and composition. However, these remain uncertain at the moment due to the asteroid's current trajectory. Radar observations, the most effective method for size estimation, are currently impossible. Astronomers anticipate an opportunity to better estimate the asteroid's characteristics in 2028. Around this time, the asteroid is expected to make a closer, less risky approach to Earth, passing within roughly 5 million miles (8 million kilometers). For now, astronomers are keeping a close eye on the 2024 YR4 asteroid.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
NASA spots asteroid as wide as 747 with 1 in 83 chance of hitting Earth
Scientists have spotted an asteroid as wide as a Boeing 747's wingspan that has a one-in-83 chance of hitting the Earth. 2024 YR4 is heading towards the Earth and will arrive in December 2032. The asteroid is 60meters wide and is currently 27million miles away. It will arrive on December 22 and will make a 'very close approach' - passing somewhere within 66,000 miles of the planet, according to NASA's Center of NEO Studies (CNEOS). Factoring in orbital uncertainties, there is a 1 in 83 chance of a collision - creating an airburst or a crater. 2024 YR4 has now been placed at the top of the European Space Agency's Near Earth Object Impact Risk List and NASA's Sentry Risk Table. READ MORE: Thieves targeted charity and stole cars which were driven away 'in relay' READ MORE: Cardiff councillor charged with crime he denies is suspended from political group Catalina Sky Survey engineer and asteroid hunter David Rankin wrote on BlueSky. "This is one of the highest probabilities of an impact from a significantly sized rock ever." Asteroid 2024 YR4 was found by NASA's ATLAS project using the Rio Hurtado telescope in Chile. Rankin told "People should absolutely not worry about this yet. Impact probability is still very low, and the most likely outcome will be a close approaching rock that misses us." Scientists are waiting for 2028, when they will get a closer look at the asteroid as it swings past Earth at about 5 million miles. They will then be able to take better measurements of its size, orbit and speed as well as composition. The asteroid is about the same size as the Tunguska meteor. In 1908, a meteor exploded over the Russian Tunguska River with a detonation that may have been as large as 50 megatons. It flattened an area of 80 million trees across 830 square miles. The Tunguska event is the largest impact event on Earth in recorded history. Rankin said: "If [asteroid 2024 YT4] is made of stony material, it could cause a significant air burst and fireball reaching the ground. If made of iron, it will punch right through the atmosphere with little trouble and make an impact crater."
Ammon
29-01-2025
- Science
- Ammon
Astronomers discover asteroid with 1-in-83 chance of hitting Earth in 2032
Ammon News - A newly discovered asteroid, designated 2024 YR4, has a 1-in-83 chance of striking Earth in December of 2032. The asteroid is estimated to be 196 feet (60 meters) wide, and it is currently 27 million miles away. The near-Earth object (NEO) discovered in 2024, which is around half as wide as a football field is long, will make a very close approach to Earth on Dec. 22, 2032. It's estimated to come within around 66,000 miles (106,200 kilometers) of Earth on that day, according to NASA's Center of NEO Studies (CNEOS). However, when orbital uncertainties are considered, that close approach could turn out to be a direct hit on our planet.
