Key Highlights:

Asteroid 2024 YR4, discovered in December 2024, poses a potential threat to Earth.

Its diameter is 54 meters, and its impact probability has increased from 1.2% to 3.1%.

If it collides, it could release 8 megatons of energy, 500 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb.

Possible impact zones include South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

NASA and ESA are studying the asteroid to refine impact predictions.

What is Asteroid 2024 YR4?

Asteroid 2024 YR4 is a 54-meter-wide space rock first detected by the ATLAS telescopes in Chile in December 2024. It is classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA) due to its proximity to Earth.

Will It Hit Earth?

NASA’s initial analysis placed the impact probability at 1.2%, but recent studies show an increase to 3.1%.

NASA and ESA are conducting a two-phase study to track its trajectory accurately.

Further observations will determine whether it will collide or pass safely.

Impact Consequences

If 2024 YR4 crashes, it could generate an 8-megaton explosion, significantly stronger than nuclear detonations.

Major cities at risk include Mumbai, Dhaka, Bogotá, Lagos, and Khartoum.

The blast could result in massive destruction in urban areas.

Preventive Measures

NASA has demonstrated asteroid deflection through the DART Mission (2022).

If the asteroid poses a confirmed threat, space agencies could attempt to alter its course.

Potential strategies include kinetic impactors, gravity tractors, and nuclear deflection.

Conclusion

Asteroid 2024 YR4 remains a subject of intense study. While the risk has increased, upcoming observations will determine its actual threat level. NASA and other space agencies are prepared with technologies to prevent a potential catastrophe.

By : team atharvaexamwise