Asteroid 2024 YR4: NASA Tracks Potential Earth Impact with James Webb Telescope

Image credits: ATLAS / University of Hawaii / NASA via AP

The asteroid 2024 YR4, discovered in December 2024, has been found to have a 2% chance of hitting Earth in 2032, according to recent calculations by astronomers. This has led to a surge in efforts to track the asteroid's course and determine the potential risks associated with its impact. The James Webb Space Telescope is set to play a crucial role in this endeavor, as it will be used to gather data on the asteroid's size, density, and orbit.

The asteroid is estimated to be between 130 and 300 feet in diameter, but its exact size and composition are still unknown. The James Webb Space Telescope will use its MIRI instrument to make observations of the asteroid in early March, with a second round of observations scheduled for May. These observations will provide a more precise estimate of the asteroid's size and help astronomers to better understand its potential impact risks.

The asteroid's discovery was made by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope in Chile, and since then, it has been tracked by a number of other telescopes around the world, including the Magdalena Ridge Observatory in New Mexico and the Very Large Telescope in Chile. The asteroid is currently moving away from Earth and is expected to be visible until early April, after which it will disappear from view until June 2028.

While the chances of the asteroid hitting Earth are still considered to be low, astronomers are taking a cautious approach and are working to gather as much data as possible to determine the potential risks. The European Space Agency has stated that if the asteroid is found to be on the larger end of its estimated size range, the effects of an impact could be significant, potentially causing damage to a wide area and affecting millions of people.

Here are some key facts about asteroid 2024 YR4:

• Discovery: December 27, 2024
• Estimated size: 130-300 feet in diameter
• Estimated impact risk: 2%
• Potential impact date: December 22, 2032
• Tracking telescopes: ATLAS, Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Very Large Telescope, and others

The asteroid's potential impact risks are still being assessed, and astronomers will continue to monitor its course and gather data to determine the best course of action. With the help of the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists hope to gain a better understanding of the asteroid's size, composition, and orbit, and to determine the potential risks associated with its impact.