Asteroid 2024 YR4 Impact Risk Now Near Zero

Rahul Somvanshi

The asteroid's estimated impact risk has since dropped dramatically. NASA now calculates just a 0.28% chance.

Photo Source: N. Bartmann, M. Kornmesser, S. Brunier & N. Risinger (CC BY 4.0)

Since the asteroid's discovery, there has been a small possibility of impact with Earth in December 2032

Photo Source: Kevin M. Gill (CC BY 2.0)

The Earth will eventually move outside of that region, and then the impact probability will drop to zero.

Photo Source: AnnieCee (CC0 1.0)

At 130-300 feet wide, 2024 YR4 could release about 10 megatons of energy if it hit Earth.

Photo Source: NASA Universe (CC BY 2.0)

It is 15 times more powerful than the Chelyabinsk meteor that injured 1,500 people in Russia in 2013.

Photo Source: Sandia Labs (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Its surface reflectivity remains uncertain, which affects how sunlight pressure might alter its trajectory.

Photo Source: ESO/M.Kornmesser/L. Calçada (CC BY 4.0)

The asteroid's exact shape also remains unknown, further complicating predictions.

Photo Source: NASA APPEL Knowledge Services (CC BY-NC 2.0)

After April 2025, the asteroid will become too distant and faint for Earth-based telescopes until 2028.

Photo Source: 2di7 & titanio44 (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)