Asteroid 2024 YR4 no longer poses a major threat to Earth - NASA
26/02/2025
NASA updated its impact probability on Dec 22, 2032 to just 0.004 percent. - Image/ Reuters
LOS ANGELES: NASA has confirmed that asteroid 2024 YR4, which was initially considered a potential threat, no longer poses a major threat to Earth in 2032 or thereafter, Xinhua reported.
The near-Earth asteroid, which is almost the size of a football field, was first discovered in December last year.
Experts had previously predicted a 3 percent chance of the asteroid hitting Earth before reducing it to 0.28 percent last week.
Following further observations, NASA updated its impact probability on Dec. 22, 2032 to just 0.004 percent, according to the Center for the Study of Near-Earth Objects.
NASA added that the asteroid does not pose a major risk to Earth for at least the next century.
However, there is still a 1.7 percent chance that it could hit the moon.
NASA will continue to keep an eye on asteroid 2024 YR4 after the move provides valuable data to advance planetary defense methods and refine the impact prediction process, according to the agency.
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