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A space rock dubbed 2024 YR4 has a 1.2% chance of smashing into our planet, scientists estimate.
NASA scientists have just spotted a hunk of space rock that could smack into Earth in 2032. And while it's unlikely to wipe out humanity, it could take out a city.
The asteroid, dubbed 2024 YR4, was detected by NASA's Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System on Dec. 27, 2024. According to researchers, it has about a 1-in-83 chance of impacting our planet in 2032.
But there's some good news for Earth: 2024 YR4 is only around 180 feet (55 meters) across, which means it is too small to end human civilization if it collided with Earth. But it could wipe out a major city. Scientists estimate that it would release about 8 megatons of energy upon impact — more than 500 times that of the atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima, Japan.
Although the asteroid is currently moving away from us, Earth will have several close shaves with the space rock in the next half century. Its next sideswipe will occur in late 2028, followed by six more close approaches between 2032 and 2074. Of these, the one with the highest chance of impact will be on Dec. 22, 2032, according to NASA.
www.livescience.com
NASA scientists have just spotted a hunk of space rock that could smack into Earth in 2032. And while it's unlikely to wipe out humanity, it could take out a city.
The asteroid, dubbed 2024 YR4, was detected by NASA's Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System on Dec. 27, 2024. According to researchers, it has about a 1-in-83 chance of impacting our planet in 2032.
But there's some good news for Earth: 2024 YR4 is only around 180 feet (55 meters) across, which means it is too small to end human civilization if it collided with Earth. But it could wipe out a major city. Scientists estimate that it would release about 8 megatons of energy upon impact — more than 500 times that of the atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima, Japan.
Although the asteroid is currently moving away from us, Earth will have several close shaves with the space rock in the next half century. Its next sideswipe will occur in late 2028, followed by six more close approaches between 2032 and 2074. Of these, the one with the highest chance of impact will be on Dec. 22, 2032, according to NASA.
'City-killer' asteroid has a 1-in-83 chance of smashing into Earth in 2032, NASA says
A space rock dubbed 2024 YR4 has a 1.2% chance of smashing into our planet, scientists estimate.
