A recent asteroid, 2024 YR4, posed a potential threat to Earth due to its size (up to 90 meters in diameter) and estimated trajectory, which could have resulted in impact as early as 2032. However, NASA has since downgraded the odds of impact to 0.0017%, significantly reducing panic.
According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Torino Impact Hazard Scale, a Level 3 designation indicates a “close encounter” was plausible, but fortunately, new observations have ruled out the worst-case scenario.
There are approximately 38,000 known asteroids in Earth’s vicinity, with most posing no risk. However, around 43% of nearby asteroids exceeding 140 meters in diameter remain undetected. NASA’s Sentry monitoring system and the Planetary Defense Coordination Office have significantly improved defenses, but more work needs to be done.
The agency plans to launch a new infrared telescope, NEO Surveyor, to hunt for threats and meets part of Congress’ 2005 mandate to find 90% of larger nearby asteroids. Nevertheless, the space telescope’s budget is tied up with an unnecessary lunar mission, which has cost $100 billion.
Congress should fund more asteroid defense missions and explore alternative defense methods, such as kinetic impact, gravity tractors, and ion beams. Global coordination also requires improvement, with NASA conducting planetary-defense exercises with other nations and the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs.
The close call with 2024 YR4 serves as a reminder of the planet’s vulnerability to hidden dangers in space. Efforts must be made to improve defenses and coordinate global responses to protect humanity from potential threats.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2025-03-world-killer-asteroids.html