Asteroid 2024 YR4: Assessing the 2032 Impact Risk and Preparedness Strategies
In December 2024, astronomers identified a near-Earth asteroid named 2024 YR4, which has garnered significant attention due to its potential risk of impacting Earth in 2032. This article delves into the discovery, characteristics, impact probabilities, and the measures being taken by space agencies to monitor and mitigate any potential threats posed by this celestial object. Discovery and Characteristics of Asteroid 2024 YR4 Asteroid 2024 YR4 was first detected on December 27, 2024, by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in Chile. Initial observations estimate the asteroid's size to be between 40 to 100 meters in diameter, comparable to a 20-story building. Currently, it is approximately 27 million miles away from Earth and follows an orbit that brings it into Earth's vicinity every four years. Impact Probability and Risk Assessment As of early 2025, NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) has assessed that 2024 YR4 has a slightly more than...