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Danger of impact: Asteroid 2024 YR4 is hardly a threat anymore!
The ESA and NASA assess the risk of collision with the asteroid “2024 YR4” as minimal. Forecasts show decreasing risks for the earth.
Danger of impact: Asteroid 2024 YR4 is hardly a threat anymore!
The astronomical excitement surrounding the asteroid “2024 YR4” has subsided for the time being! According to new estimates from the European Space Agency (ESA), the chance of this celestial body hitting Earth on December 22, 2032 is just 1 in 61,728. This means that fears of a possible impact were greatly exaggerated. NASA estimates the probability is even lower - just 0.0039 percent, like The mirror reported.
The asteroid, which has a diameter of 40 to 90 meters and was discovered just two months ago, has alarmed experts. According to experts, an impact could cause massive damage: an explosion in the atmosphere could create a pressure wave that would have devastating effects, or it could create a crater over a kilometer in diameter. However, these scenarios now appear much less threatening, as the ESA had already determined in an initial risk assessment at the end of January that the probability of impact often drops to zero with further observations. A development that is now coming true in the case of “2024 YR4”. wien.at determines.
The reassurance comes at the right time, as the focus on potentially dangerous asteroids is of paramount importance to minimize future risks. With “2024 YR4”, Earth is on the safe side for now, which curbs the excited discussions about possible apocalypse scenarios!