NASA just announced that asteroid 2024 YR4 has a 3.1% chance of smashing into Earth in 2032. That might not sound like much, but it’s the highest risk ever recorded for an asteroid of this size! Should we start digging bunkers?
Astronomers worldwide are keeping a very close eye on the space rock, which was first spotted in December. Estimated to be between 130 and 300 feet wide, it’s not a planet destroyer like the one that wiped out the dinosaurs, but it could flatten an entire city if it hits. At 40,000 mph, the impact would unleash more than 500 times the power of the Hiroshima bomb.
But don’t panic just yet. Experts say the probability may shift as more data comes in—especially once the James Webb Space Telescope gets a better look next month. If the odds increase past 10%, global space agencies would officially start preparing.
The good news? NASA has proven we can nudge asteroids off course. So, while the situation is serious, there’s still time to ensure this cosmic threat becomes just another near-miss. Let’s hope those calculations are right!
