In brief
"The asteroid 2024 YR4, detected in December, now holds a 3.1% chance of impacting Earth in 2032, surpassing the previously worrying Apophis threat. While not huge, its potential for urban destruction is significant."
Astronomers have raised alarms about asteroid 2024 YR4, which could make a close approach to Earth in 2032. First spotted in December, this space rock measures between 130 and 300 feet long and has a 3.1% chance of hitting our planet on December 22, 2032 — a risk level higher than that of the infamous Apophis asteroid. While 2024 YR4 is smaller than Apophis, this doesn’t diminish the potential danger. A direct impact could cause severe damage to urban areas, particularly as its trajectory may intersect with major cities like Bogotá, Lagos, and Mumbai. Currently, scientists struggle to estimate its exact mass and density, which are key to understanding the possible destruction it could wreak. Mark Boslough, a physicist at Los Alamos National Laboratory, emphasizes that the asteroid’s uncertainty makes its threat difficult to quantify. Despite the current low odds of impact, preparations for monitoring this celestial body will ramp up as the date approaches.
