A newly discovered asteroid has risen to the top of the NASA impact rice frame after new observations doubled its opportunities to hit the earth in 2032. Recent images recorded by the Gemini South Telescope in Chile offer a detailed view of YR4 2024, which between 131 and 295 measures feet wide – about the size of a building – large enough to unleash any devastating consequences if the contact would make. With a 1-on-48 chance of collision, scientists follow the Space Rock, now called “City-Killer”.
Although the rising impact risk seems alarming, scientists explain that it is a normal part of refining the JR4 track. NASA’s Near Earth Objects Studies has followed the asteroid closely since the discovery by the NASA-fined Atlas system on December 27, 2024.
NASA astronomer Bryce Bolin, involved in the photo-op, described the discovery as both a care and a scientific opportunity. “Only a few asteroids have been investigated,” he said Space.com. “We took 12 expansions of 200 seconds in the red band and followed the movement of the asteroid to obtain these images.”
At the time of the observation, YR4 was about 59 million km from the earth and the team had to contend with various challenges. The asteroid was so weak that scientists had to use the massive Gemini South Telescope in Chile to recognize him.
The clear moon, which was illuminated 70 percent, made it even more difficult to capture a clear picture. Mr Bolin also said that the asteroid also quickly moved with 0.26 arcseconds per minute, so that carefully was needed to keep it in sight.
Experts are also focused on the scientific opportunity that YR4 offers. Mr. Bolin said that the YR4 was “extremely exciting … for the scientific potential of studying such a small asteroid in major details.”
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope is also set to help observe YR4, with data collection from the beginning of March. With the help of its advanced infrared instruments, Webb will help astronomers to measure the size of the asteroid more accurately and assess the potential impact damage if it clashed with the earth.
While scientists are still studying the path of asteroid, a collision can be devastating, so that energy is equal to 8 megatones TNT – enough to destroy an area the size of Washington, DC.
Asteroid expert David Rankin, who followed YR4, reassured the public that the rising impact opportunities are expected. He said that the risk will probably decrease as soon as scientists collect more precisely data about the asteroid.