NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) have confirmed that Asteroid 2024 YR4, once considered a potential hazard, poses no significant risk to Earth.
The asteroid, discovered in December 2024, initially had a small chance of impacting the planet in 2032.
However, recent calculations have reduced this probability to just 0.0017%, effectively ruling out any collision.
Measuring between 40 to 90 meters in diameter, YR4 could have caused significant regional damage if it entered Earth’s atmosphere.
However, with Earth now deemed safe, scientists are shifting focus to the asteroid’s potential 1.7% chance of hitting the Moon on December 22, 2032.
If an impact occurs, it could leave a noticeable crater on the lunar surface.
NASA continues to monitor YR4’s trajectory with advanced telescopes, including the James Webb Space Telescope, to refine its path and study its characteristics.
While concerns about an Earth impact have faded, researchers remain vigilant, using YR4 as a case study for planetary defense strategies.
