NASA has identified an asteroid named 2024 YR4 that may pose a significant risk of colliding with Earth in March 2032. Detected recently, this asteroid has sparked attention and concern among scientists and astronomers as they evaluate its trajectory and size, which is estimated to be between 80 to 190 meters in diameter. NASA’s upcoming observational mission leveraging the James Webb Space Telescope is set to provide invaluable data to better assess the asteroid’s characteristics and potential impact. According to Amy Mainzer, an astrophysicist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, ‘The Webb Telescope will help us measure the asteroid’s properties, including its size and reflectivity, which is crucial for understanding potential hazard levels.’ The asteroid is currently classified as a ‘Potentially Hazardous Asteroid,’ indicating it could come within 0.05 AU (astronomical units) of Earth. This categorization is based on its minimum orbit intersection distance (MOID) with Earth. NASA’s planetary defense strategies underscore the importance of continued monitoring, as proper analysis could lead to potential mitigation measures should an impact become imminent. Following this announcement, experts are urging the public to stay informed about advancements in tracking these celestial bodies, particularly as the date of potential impact approaches. ‘Science and technology have provided us the means to predict such events,’ emphasized Mainzer, reflecting on the implications of contemporary space monitoring practices. The asteroid’s trajectory is being closely monitored with anticipation of what the Webb mission will decipher, further informing both scientific understanding and public safety.
Asteroid 2024 YR4 Could Pose Impact Risk to Earth, NASA Plans Investigative Measures
