Asteroid 2024 Yr4: The City Destroyer Looms Closer Than Ever

The asteroid 2024 YR4 is scheduled to make a perilous pass close to Earth in December 2032, with a 40- to 100-meter-wide space rock earning the ominous nickname “the city destroyer.” With a mere 2 percent chance of impact, scientists are working tirelessly to refine their predictions and prepare for the worst.

Measuring its destructive potential is crucial, as its composition, speed, and mass will determine the extent of any damage. Currently, estimates suggest that an airburst upon impact could be equivalent to nearly 8 million tons of TNT – an explosion 500 times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

Experts have drawn a “risk corridor” across the globe, outlining a narrow band stretching from northern South America, across the Pacific Ocean, and into southern Asia. Countries in this region, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Sudan, Nigeria, Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador, are at risk of being ravaged by the asteroid’s catastrophic impact.

The Torino scale, developed by astronomers, measures the likelihood of an object impacting Earth, with higher scores indicating greater risks. Currently, 2024 YR4 is ranked at level 3, a moderate warning sign. Its trajectory will be closely monitored as more data becomes available.

Asteroid 2004 Apophis was discovered in 2004, sparking widespread concern over its potential to collide with Earth. Initially, it was deemed a 2.7 percent risk of impact, but after months of observation and refinement, scientists adjusted their calculations to zero – ensuring a safe passage in 2029.

The threat posed by asteroids like 2024 YR4 has led international agencies to take proactive measures to prepare for potential collisions. The United Nations has activated an emergency protocol for asteroid protection, while researchers are developing innovative methods to deflect or destroy these rogue celestial bodies.

NASA’s 2023 DART mission is a shining example of humanity’s growing capacity to counter this cosmic threat. The mission tests the effectiveness of kinetic strikes against asteroids and is part of ongoing efforts to develop new technologies for asteroid defense.