A newly discovered asteroid has raised concerns among astronomers, with a small chance of hitting Earth in 2032. The asteroid, named 2024 YR4, is estimated to be between 130 and 328 feet wide and could cause severe damage if it were to impact our planet.
NASA and other leading space agencies have teamed up to study the asteroid using the James Webb Space Telescope’s MIRI instrument, which will determine its size by observing heat emitted. This information will help scientists better estimate the threat to Earth.
The asteroid was discovered in December using NASA-funded telescopes in Chile and initially had a low probability of impact, but that chance has doubled over the past week. Despite this, the likelihood remains low at just over 2%.
The international team of astronomers will use the telescope’s MIRI instrument for about four hours in March to gather more data on the asteroid’s size and risk. The study aims to improve the current estimate of the asteroid’s size, which is crucial for assessing the hazard it poses.
Currently, astronomers can only study the asteroid in visible light, which limits their understanding of its true size. However, the James Webb Space Telescope will provide a more accurate measurement by observing the heat emitted from the asteroid. This information will be vital for NASA and other organizations to better understand the potential danger posed by this asteroid.
While it is unlikely that the asteroid will hit Earth, the study aims to provide more certainty about its impact during the 2032 holidays. Astronomers are monitoring the situation closely and studying the asteroid with other telescopes on the ground, but the asteroid’s brightness will fade over the next few months, making it invisible again until 2028.
Source: https://www.foxweather.com/earth-space/james-webb-telescope-studying-asteroid-yr4