NASA has announced a significant update to the risk assessment of a potentially hazardous asteroid, known as Asteroid 2024 YR4, which has been classified as a "city killer" due to its size and potential impact zone.
The asteroid, estimated to be approximately 180 feet (55 meters) in width, poses a notable yet manageable threat to Earth, according to NASA officials.
Asteroid 2024 YR4 has been closely monitored by NASA and other space agencies around the world since its discovery, with scientists working tirelessly to refine its orbit and predict its trajectory.
While the risk of a large asteroid impacting Earth is relatively low, the consequences of such an event would be catastrophic, with the potential to cause widespread destruction and loss of life on a massive scale.
The term "city killer" refers to an asteroid that is large enough to cause significant damage to a major metropolitan area, but not so large that it would cause a global extinction event.
NASA and other space agencies have developed a range of strategies for mitigating the threat of near-Earth asteroids, including deflection and disruption techniques.
These strategies involve using a variety of methods, such as gravitational tractors, kinetic impactors, and solar sails, to nudge the asteroid off its collision course or break it apart before it hits Earth.
While the threat posed by Asteroid 2024 YR4 is still considered manageable, NASA and other space agencies will continue to monitor its progress closely, using advanced telescopes and other technologies to track its movement and refine its orbit.
In the meantime, NASA is working to develop new technologies and strategies for detecting and mitigating the threat of near-Earth asteroids, with the goal of protecting our planet from these potentially hazardous objects.