A colossal object has been identified in space by scientists. This enormous space rock, named 2024 YR4, is set to make an unusually close pass to Earth.  This is expected to happen on the 22nd of December 2032.  We will be in close proximity with this 20-story behemoth.  There is a chance it could be dangerous.

        Humongous space rocks, called asteroids near earth are known as Near Earth Objects (NEOs).  Scientists are on the hunt for these objects because they might threaten Earth if they get too close. Recent outbreaks of big asteroids being spotted result from increased capability to search the skies for such bodies. 2024 YR4 has a size similar to another NEO that caused a completely new type of wonder when it exploded in the air over the forests in Russia in 1908.  The astonishing space rock caused massive impacts on the landscape.  An estimated 80 million trees were knocked over in an area the size of a huge metropolis.

        Currently, the rock is tagged 2024 YR4.  The trajectory of the rock tells us that chances of it hitting the Earth are estimated to be around 1. 2%.  Who knows what will happen?  At this stage, there's still a lot of uncertainty about the exact impact.  Without knowing the nature of the asteroid, we simply cannot be sure.  It's unclear what the space rock is made of.  What is the path it will take?

        So, Why is this interesting?  If the space rock is made of stone, it could be super hot and fiery if it comes to Earth, but it's barely possible this rock is made of iron and if that's the case, it will most definitely cause a crater.   The slab of asteroid will encounter temperatures from a few thousand degrees below -270'C decided by the astronomers through the effectiveness of grabbing energy beyond the milky way.

        This rock 2024 YR4 was first seen by NASA and is being closely watched by teams of astronomers.   The current evidence tells us it will miss us but it will get close.  It is rated a three on the Torino scale.  Scientists are aware of six of them on the scale.  A score of 3 designates it as a "Mercury" this means that there is a 1 in 200 chance that it might hit Earth.  It's expected to be around 66, 000 miles miles from us at the closest point but you can be assured it will be more than a full moon away with the possibility it may pass directly over the American continent.  With one small change in its trajectory  it could be west Africa.

        The exciting news is that if astronomers bring their radar telescopes to the hunt, they will have a good estimate of the size of the space rock.  Despite that, the rock could suddenly be hundreds of miles in different directions. The impact of the evidence estimates the speed and kinetic energy of the mass of the Asterioid .  The space rock is huge, isn't it?  The speed is measured against standard Earth's parameters of motion.  That is between 8 kilometers per second to 46 kilometers.  This is the velocity of the minor planet.  They don't have radar telescopes on hand right now, all they can do is use the brightness of the rock to decide its size.  The size which is being estimated has to adjust for the reflectiveness of the surface of the rock.  The amount of light reflecting off the surface gives clarity to these calculations.

        On top of that, experts look at its composition extensively.  The way you know its composition is by looking at the composition of minerals in the rock.  These minerals give clues how the asteroid may behave as it floats through the air right above Earth's atmosphere.  A stony asteroid could end in crash with an explosion. While an Iron asteroid could blast a large crater in the earth.

        Therefore, experts say 2024 YR4 is definitely something to keep an eye on. 2024 YR4 might be a close call, yet scientists are confident the Earth will avoid getting smacked by the hulking object.  This is not the end of it.  The entire universe is ready for it to rise up high in the sky.  Not long to wait till 2032 when the Asteroid 2032 has its closest approach to Earth in the coming eight years.

A Giant Space Rock Nearing Earth in 2032: Why You Should Be Excited

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