A newly discovered asteroid has raised concerns about its potential impact on Earth, but experts say the chances are still relatively low. The asteroid, named 2024 YR4, is estimated to be between 130 feet and 300 feet across and is currently orbiting the sun.
NASA and the European Space Agency’s Webb Space Telescope will observe the asteroid in March before it disappears from view. Once that happens, scientists will have to wait until 2028 when it passes Earth again. The odds of a strike are now at 2%, but experts believe this number will continue to fluctuate until they better understand the asteroid’s path around the sun.
Asteroids are space rocks orbiting the sun that are considerably smaller than planets. They were formed 4.6 billion years ago and can be found in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Some asteroids, like 2024 YR4, have been pushed out of their belts and can end up anywhere.
Scientists track potentially dangerous asteroids using telescopes. The Webb telescope will provide more precise measurements for 2024 YR4. NASA initially put the odds of a strike at just over 1%, but they rose to 2% by Thursday.
According to experts, there is no need to panic about asteroid 2024 YR4. “You don’t have to be worried about anything,” said Larry Denneau, senior software engineer with the University of Hawaii’s asteroid impact alert system. “Don’t panic. Let the process play out, and we’ll have a for-sure answer.”
The asteroid’s size and orbit are uncertain, but experts believe the risk will likely drop to zero as more data becomes available. NASA has experience in deflecting asteroids and has successfully nudged another harmless asteroid in 2022.
In summary, while asteroid 2024 YR4 poses some concern, the odds of a strike remain relatively low at 2%. Experts are working to better understand its path around the sun, and once they do, the risk is expected to decrease.
Source: https://www.mlive.com/news/2025/02/threat-of-newly-discovered-asteroid-hitting-earth-has-risen.html