NASA is set to use its James Webb Telescope to gather more information about the 2024 YR4 asteroid, which has raised concerns due to its estimated 2.3% chance of colliding with Earth. The asteroid, measuring between 40-90 meters in size, could hit the planet on December 22, 2032.
Former astronaut Chris Hadfield has expressed his expertise on the situation, stating that the asteroid’s enormity poses a significant threat due to its potential to ‘destroy cities.’ With an estimated power equivalent to 7.7 megatons of TNT, it’s roughly 500 times more powerful than the largest bomb dropped during World War II.
Hadfield attributes the danger not to radiation but rather the sheer force and speed of the asteroid, which is traveling at 17 kilometers per second, making it twice as fast as the International Space Station. However, he reassures that the chances of a direct hit are slim, with experts predicting a higher likelihood of the asteroid missing Earth.
Despite this, NASA has been working on emergency preparations in case the worst-case scenario materializes. With the James Webb Telescope and backup plans in place, scientists remain vigilant as they monitor the asteroid’s trajectory.
Source: https://www.ladbible.com/news/science/astronaut-chris-hadfield-2024-yr4-asteroid-impact-on-earth-500180-20250216