NASA's latest emergency decision puts a city-destroying asteroid on our radar. Should we brace for impact or just grab some popcorn? Find out more!
NASA has just rung the alarm bells as they scramble to handle an asteroid that might be headed for Earth, and its size? Think Big Ben! This colossal celestial object, officially named asteroid 2024 YR4, has presented scientists with a one-in-43 chance of impacting our planet. "It's not an exact science, but our calculations have indicated a greater likelihood than previously thought," said a NASA spokesperson. While visions of giant meteors smashing into cities might sound like the plot of a blockbuster movie, the reality has scientists re-evaluating the asteroid's trajectory and potential effects on Earth.
Dr. Robin George Andrews, a volcanologist and renowned author, has chimed in with a rather chilling update regarding 2024 YR4. According to Andrews, the situation could get tricky, warning that it’s possible "we might not be able to stop it." This isn’t just a case of over-caffeinated scientists in lab coats spouting doom and gloom; it's backed by solid data. The asteroid—initially thought to have a slimmer chance of hitting—now presents a 2.3% probability, and crunching the numbers is a top priority for astronomers worldwide.
Perhaps intriguingly, new calculations suggest that instead of crashing into Earth, 2024 YR4 might take a detour and race toward the moon. If this celestial traveller decides to stick its landing on our lunar neighbor, it might just serve up a spectacular show of cosmic fireworks while sparing us from any city-smashing disasters. But don’t uncross those fingers yet; there’s still a chance it could make contact with our planet.
So, what does all this mean for us Earthlings? Well, the general advice is to stay informed but not overly alarmed just yet. NASA is closely monitoring 2024 YR4, and thanks to advancements in technology, we’re better equipped than ever to track asteroids before they get too close for comfort. If it does happen to come our way, remember, we’ve got plenty of blockbuster flicks to draw inspiration from on how to save the day!
In a fun twist, did you know that the last major asteroid threat was back in 2013 when a meteor exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia? Or that asteroids hold valuable resources like precious metals that could be mined for future space missions? Who knew that protecting our planet could also mean digging up some treasure from the stars?
NASA has had to make an 'emergency' decision as they predict an asteroid the size go Big Ben has a one-in-43 chance of hitting Earth.
Dr Robin George Andrews, a volcanologist and author based in London, warns that 'we might not be able to stop 2024 YR4'.
We take a look at what this means and if we should be braced for impact. This handout picture provided by NASA on January 31, 2025 shows asteroid 2024 YR4 as ...
We've all seen films such as Deep Impact or Armageddon depicting the idea of an apocalyptic asteroid headed towards our planet, but this could soon become a ...
Asteroid 2024 YR4, a near-Earth asteroid has a one-in-45 chance of hitting Planet Earth in December 2032, NASA and the European Space Agency believe.
Scientists estimate that an asteroid called 2024 YR4 has a 2.3 per cent (up from 1 per cent) chance of striking Earth in December 2032.
New calculations suggest that asteroid 2024 YR4, initially thought to have a higher chance of hitting Earth,
Detected in the last week of December 2024, the minor planet has been called Asteroid 2024 YR4 and if it were to hit Earth, it would do so on 22 December 2032.
Over the next several weeks, astronomers will be looking closely at an asteroid called 2024 YR4 that could be as big as a football field as they try to ...
Dr Robin George Andrews has shared his thoughts on 'city destroying' asteroid 2024 YR4 which NASA believe has a small chance of colliding with Earth.
CBC Kids News Contributor Sophia Smoke breaks down the odds of asteroid 2024 YR4 hitting Earth in 2032.
The odds that asteroid 2024 YR4 could hit Earth in 2032 recently spiked from a little more than 1% to 2.3% as more observations are made.
If the giant rock is on a collision course with our planet, it could rip through the atmosphere at 38,000mph and wreak more devastation than 100 nuclear bombs.
An asteroid that measures up to 300 feet across could smack into Earth in 2032, and while NASA says the chances of a collision are “extremely low,” the ...
An asteroid that measures up to 300 feet across could smack into Earth in 2032, and while NASA says the chances of a collision are “extremely low,” the ...
Scientists across the world, including some in Arizona, are keeping an eye on an asteroid that has a very slim chance of hitting earth in the near future.
Nasa expects chances of Earth collision to be revised down in future estimates.
NASA's new observations of the asteroid, named 2024 YR4, led to a 2.3 per cent probability of hitting Earth on 22 December 2032.
The asteroid, dubbed 2024 YR4, has a 2.3% chance of colliding with Earth on Dec. 22, 2032, according to a NASA update on Feb. 7. This probability of impact has ...
The odds of a 'city-destroying' asteroid hitting Earth in less than 10 years have risen. Asteroid 2024 YR4 was found by NASA's Asteroid Terrestrial-impact ...
Asteroid 2024 YR4 could possibly impact our planet and cause 'localised' damage, according to NASA.
Astronomers are worried that Big Ben-sized asteroid 2024 YR4 is on course to hit Earth in 2032.
Planetary Society Chief Scientist Bruce Betts notes while counterintuitive, the odds of impact go up before they drop to zero.
Asteroid 2024 YR4 has a roughly 2 percent chance of hitting Earth in 2032, and “is large enough to cause localized damage,” NASA says.