There’s a new space traveling friend that scientists have just spotted. This asteroid, named 2024 YR4, is about the size of a large building, measuring somewhere between 40 and 100 meters. This space visitor is cruising through the universe at an astonishing speed of approximately 38, 028 miles per hour, and we will be having a close encounter with it in a decade. Don’t worry because the chances of seeing this asteroid coming even near us is miniscule. The United Nations, which tracks these space rocks, currently shows that 2024 YR4 has a 1. 2% chance of hitting Earth at a date in December 2032.

        The asteroid was first seen by the Automatic Telescope for Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in Chile. Because it was in our cosmic neighborhood, it was bright and easy to spot. Since the discovery of the asteroid on December 27 2023, astronomers have been keeping it under strict observation. In fact, the United Nations showed concern but probe is necessary to see if its a threat.

        Scientists are trying to figure out how big 2024 YR4 really is. The size of the asteroid can range from 40 to 100 meters.  However, the actual size of the space rock is still very uncertain meaning future studies can be helpful to know more. The Atlantic is studying it as it continues to move away from Earth. Some telescopes are used to observe and track the asteroid. Once the ATLAS project first detected 2024 YR4 and saw that it could be a possible danger to Earth, automated alert systems went to work. This placed the asteroid at the top of the monitoring list. Because it was brighter and closer, the ATLAS had to detect it.

        If 2024 YR4 doesn’t get lost in space, space agencies will remove it from the risk list for now. If the scientists accurately see what the asteroid’s path is, for now the possibility is that it will not hit Earth. There is still more observations to be done such as those using the Large Telescope to take a closer look. Once they see what the movement is during 2028, the asteroid may come closer to Earth in a few years, but you and I will be long gone.

        So, the basics is this, This space rock is currently around 45 million kilometers away from our planet. This is a distance that will grow in the coming months so it is not an immediate threat. This will be the distance until 2028, as the asteroid orbits the Sun. We can watch 2024 YR4 until April. The future might see 2024 YR4 come back to Earth. But who knows?

        In the worst-case scenario, if 2024 YR4 remains a threat and gets close enough, there could be big trouble. That is only if it hits which will not be no guarantee. The asteroid would also mean sudden destruction to life on Earth. In such an event, there are strategies in place to minimize the damage. These strategies can include kicking the asteroid without hitting it with a big object, such as a robotic spacecraft and evacuating areas likely to be affected.

        Unlucky enough, it’s not uncommon for experts to see an increase in the likelihood that an asteroid will hit Earth because they’ve just become aware of it. However, over time the likelihood may drop to zero. There are still many telescopes tracking the path of the asteroid but it will be removed from the risk list if scientists can determine its path.

        In conclusion the best way to prepare for these threats is to stay informed.  Scientists have been launching rockets to create a system to protect us. The ones launched thus far have been to redirect the asteroid without hurting the earth.

        The Earth has a chance of not being hit by an asteroid. As the data grows, the chance of an asteroid hitting Earth will decrease. We will all be uneasy in our neighborhoods for a while but it will be removed from the risk list.

        Another thing to consider is that there are no immediate worries about this asteroid. Recently there are so many telescopes that help alert us of these things. This telescope uses the Sun’s light to see asteroids.  The telescope is to identify near-Earth asteroids. Many robotic spacecraft have been launched to protect us. In the unlikely event that it all gets tight, it is necessary, and no premature action will be taken.

A Space Rock is Coming! But Don't Panic

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