According to NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), the probability of the 2024 YR4 asteroid hitting Earth has increased by 2.3 percent. The statement pointed out that the probability of the asteroid, which will pass by Earth in 2032, hitting the surface has risen to 1 in 43.
2024 YR4 was first detected in late December by astronomers at the NASA-funded Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System station in Chile.
The probability of the asteroid hitting Earth has continued to increase since it began being tracked. This situation has moved 2024 YR4 to the top of the impact risk lists of both NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). NASA has issued a warning regarding the impact probability of the 'city-killer' asteroid.
A week ago, NASA had calculated the probability of the asteroid hitting Earth at 1.3 percent. According to the new calculation, the impact risk has been determined to be 2.3 percent.
The diameter of 2024 YR4 is estimated to be around 90 meters. This means the asteroid is roughly the same size as the Statue of Liberty in the US. NASA officials stated that if the asteroid were to hit Earth, it could cause serious damage.
News Source: 12punto
