The 365 Days of Astronomy Astronomy Cast Ep. 745: How We Know If Asteroids Will Attack
Feb 24, 2025
Asteroid 2024 YR4 stirs anxiety, but how do astronomers gauge the risk? Discover the sophisticated methods for tracking and assessing asteroid orbits. The DART mission's role in asteroid deflection shines light on potential strategies against threats like Apophis. Advances in detection systems like ATLAS are crucial as smaller asteroids pose challenges. Collaborative global efforts in asteroid research highlight the necessity of community engagement and ongoing support for educational media in the quest to protect our planet.
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Asteroid 2024 YR4
- Asteroid 2024 YR4 has a small chance of hitting Earth in 2032.
- Astronomers are tracking its trajectory and impact risk.
Impact Probability
- The asteroid has a 1.5% chance of hitting Earth and 0.8% of hitting the moon.
- It will come closer than the moon, within 160,000 km of Earth.
Impact Severity
- A 50-100 meter asteroid impact would be like a "city destroyer".
- It could cause a Tunguska-like event or a crater similar to the one in Arizona.