Asteroid 2024 YR4: Rising Collision Risks Threaten Major Populations

Asteroid 2024 YR4’s collision risk has increased to 2.3%, with concerns over its size and speed. NASA has identified potential impact areas, including India and surrounding nations. If the asteroid strikes Earth, the devastation could rival 500 atomic bombs. This situation necessitates heightened vigilance and readiness from global scientists.

Asteroid 2024 YR4 poses an increasing risk of collision with Earth, with estimates of impact probability rising from 1 percent to 2.3 percent. Scientists are particularly concerned about the asteroid’s unknown speed and size, with estimates suggesting it could measure up to 200 meters. NASA is actively identifying potential impact zones to prepare for any collision scenario, which could prove catastrophic for densely populated regions including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

Should asteroid 2024 YR4 collide with Earth, the destruction it could cause is likened to the force of 500 atomic bombs. David Rankin, an engineer affiliated with NASA’s Catalina Sky Survey, has mapped a risk corridor that spans from northern South America through the Pacific Ocean, southern Asia, the Arabian Sea, and parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Key affected countries identified include India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Sudan, Nigeria, Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador.

Discovered last December, asteroid 2024 YR4 currently holds a Torino Scale rating of three, categorizing it as a considerable threat. Scientists express alarm at the escalating chance of impact, paired with inadequate data regarding the asteroid’s characteristics. This situation has triggered heightened vigilance from NASA and the European Space Agency regarding potential ramifications.

Asteroid 2024 YR4 is projected to pass within a concerning proximity of Earth at 106,000 kilometers on December 22, 2032, with a margin of error of 1.6 million kilometers. This trajectory suggests the asteroid may follow a narrow path from western Central America to northern South America and approach regions in Africa and India, prompting the need for comprehensive monitoring and threat assessment.

In summary, the increasing likelihood of asteroid 2024 YR4 colliding with Earth presents a significant risk to populated regions, particularly in South Asia and parts of Africa. With current estimates categorizing it as a dangerous potential threat, both NASA and the European Space Agency remain vigilant. Preparations and assessments are essential as the asteroid approaches a close pass in December 2032, highlighting the urgent need for global readiness.

Original Source: www.india.com