2024 YR4 Asteroid: Potential Impact Risk for India and Beyond

The asteroid 2024 YR4 has a 2% chance of impacting Earth on December 22, 2032. It is considered a potential ‘city destroyer’ with a size between 40 and 90 meters. Countries in its projected path include India and Pakistan. With a Torino Scale rating of 3, it requires close monitoring due to the potential for localized destruction if it collides.

The asteroid designated 2024 YR4 has been flagged for its potential to collide with Earth on December 22, 2032. Discovered by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ALERT) in December 2024, it is often referred to as a ‘city destroyer’ due to its estimated width of 40 to 90 meters. NASA currently estimates a 2 percent chance of impact.

If the asteroid were to enter a collision trajectory, its possible impact zone extends across diverse regions including the eastern Pacific Ocean, northern South America, and parts of South Asia, putting countries such as India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh on alert. NASA assesses the risk to be notable, considering that the Torino Scale currently rates this asteroid at 3, which indicates a significant close encounter.

In the case of a collision, 2024 YR4 could strike Earth at a speed of approximately 17 kilometers per second, equivalent to about 38,000 mph. The impact severity would vary based on its size at the time of collision. A smaller impact, while leading to some damage like window shattering, would be less catastrophic, whereas a hit from the larger end of the scale could result in devastating consequences for a major city.

As of January 31, 2025, 2024 YR4 is 48 million kilometers away from Earth and continues on a path away from our planet. However, it will return to Earth’s vicinity during its orbit around the Sun in 2028, at which point its trajectory will be monitored more closely.

In summary, the asteroid 2024 YR4 poses a 2 percent chance of impacting Earth on December 22, 2032. Countries situated in its projected path, including India and neighboring regions, should remain vigilant as NASA continues to monitor its trajectory. Potential consequences range from minor damage to disastrous city-level destruction, depending on the asteroid’s size at impact. Close observations will resume when the asteroid returns to our neighborhood in 2028.

Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com