A newly discovered asteroid, estimated to be between 130 and 328 feet wide, has been identified as a potential threat to Earth. Asteroid 2024 YR4 was detected on December 27 using telescopes in Chile and is now being closely monitored by NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA).
According to the ESA, there is more than a 1% chance that the asteroid could hit Earth within under a decade. The asteroid’s trajectory is currently difficult to predict due to its elongated orbit around the Sun.
NASA has activated its automated asteroid warning system, which has determined that the asteroid has a small but significant chance of impacting Earth on December 22, 2032. While this risk cannot be ruled out entirely, it is considered low.
To mitigate this risk, international astronomers are attempting to study the asteroid with powerful telescopes such as the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile and other observatories around the world.
The ESA has stated that the asteroid will remain on its risk list until it becomes visible again in 2028. Scientists are working tirelessly to gather more data and determine the asteroid’s actual risk to Earth, but for now, it is essential to continue monitoring this potentially hazardous asteroid.
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Source: https://www.foxweather.com/earth-space/newly-discovered-asteroid-impact-not-ruled-out