NASA has significantly reduced the calculated probability of collision with the asteroid “2024 YR4”, capable of destroying an entire city. The astronomical agency predicts that the risk of this space object falling to Earth in December 2032 will eventually be reduced to zero. About this informs DW.
According to NASA, the estimated risk of an asteroid impact that could potentially destroy the city has dropped to 1.5%. Shortly before that, the agency recorded the highest level of probability of such a strike – 3.1%. Separate calculations by the European Space Agency (ESA) showed an even lower level of risk – 1.38%.
We will remind that the asteroid “2024 YR4” was discovered in December 2024 with the help of a telescope in Chile. According to preliminary forecasts, it may fall to Earth on December 22, 2032.
The “impact risk corridor” covers the eastern Pacific Ocean, northern South America, the Atlantic Ocean, Africa, the Arabian Sea and South Asia.
According to experts, its width is approximately 40–90 meters. Although this object will not cause a global catastrophe, its potential fall is capable of causing significant destruction to the city.
