Astronomers from Johns Hopkins University and space agencies worldwide have successfully captured the first-ever photos of asteroid 2024 YR4 using NASA’s Webb Space Telescope. The asteroid, predicted to pose a threat to Earth in 2032 with a 3% chance, now carries virtually no risk thanks to additional observations by ground telescopes.
The asteroid is approximately 200 feet (60 meters) across, roughly equivalent to the height of a 15-story building. This rare observation marks the smallest object ever recorded by the Webb Space Telescope, while also being one of the largest and most powerful space objects ever sent into orbit.
According to experts, these observations serve as valuable practice for future asteroid threats. Dr. Andrew Rivkin from Johns Hopkins University stated that the data “gives us a window to understand what other objects are like” in this size range, helping scientists prepare for potential future risks.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2025-04-webb-telescope-captures-photos-asteroid.html