Asteroid 2024 YR4 Changing Impact Risk

Asteroid 2024 YR4 – Impact Risk Assessment

Asteroid 2024 YR4, a "city killer"-sized space rock (estimated between 40-100 meters wide or 131-295 feet), has briefly become the riskiest asteroid ever recorded due to a non-zero probability of impacting Earth in December 2032. Initial assessments calculated a potential impact probability as high as 3.1%, later revised down to 1.5%. While the initial impact probability was the highest ever seen for an asteroid of this size, scientists emphasize that this is a dynamic situation and the probability is expected to fluctuate and ultimately decrease as more data is collected. The asteroid is currently classified as a 3 on the Torino Scale, indicating a potential for localized destruction and meriting public attention.

Key Themes and Ideas:

• Fl ...