The probability of Earth being hit by an asteroid in 2032 has just doubled

According to the latest calculations, the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has doubled the probability of the Earth colliding with an asteroid in 2032.

Journey of asteroid 2024 YR (blue ring) as observed by NASA

On December 22, 2032, Earth will be visited by an uninvited guest, the asteroid 2024 YR. Discovered last year, this asteroid is about 90 meters across.

As this asteroid approaches the Earth, the risk of an Earth collision arises, which if it occurs could threaten life on the surface of our planet.

The probability of 2024 YR hitting Earth has just been doubled, according to the Independent (UK) on February 8.

A week ago, NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) predicted a 1% chance of impact, but that number has now been raised to 2.3%.

NASA said it will continue to study the asteroid and said the probability will be adjusted once experts have more information about 2024 VR.

"There have been a few objects in the past that have climbed up the 'planet killer' risk list and have been gradually removed as more data becomes available," NASA said, adding that it is not impossible that the risk will fall to 0% in the future.

2024 YR was first discovered on December 27, 2024. A few days later, astronomers began to pay attention to the object after 2024 YR was added to the list of near-Earth asteroids that are at risk of colliding with Earth.

At the moment, 2024 YR is rated 3 out of 10 on the Torino Impact Hazard Scale. The only asteroid rated higher than 2024 YR4 is Apophis, which caused worldwide concern in 2004.

Apophis was initially rated 4/10, before being downgraded because observations showed the asteroid could not threaten Earth for at least a century.

2024 YR has triggered a response mechanism from two UN-sanctioned organizations: the International Asteroid Warning Network (a group of organizations and individuals that plan global space defense efforts) and the Space Mission Planning Advisory Group (a group of UN member states with space agencies).

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/xac-suat-dia-cau-trung-tieu-hanh-tinh-trong-nam-2032-vua-tang-gap-doi-185250209103416055.htm