Asteroid 2024 YR4 Downgraded to Minimal Collision Risk After Global Observations

NASA and international teams confirm that the asteroid once labeled a 'city killer' poses a near-zero threat to Earth in 2032.

Asteroid 2024 YR4, initially considered a potential hazard with a 3.1% chance of impact in 2032, now has an impact probability of just 0.0017% after updated trajectory analysis.
The asteroid, measuring approximately 55 to 90 meters in diameter, triggered a Level 3 alert on the Torino Impact Hazard Scale before being downgraded to Level 1 and likely soon to Level 0.
NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office and international partners, including the James Webb Space Telescope, played key roles in refining YR4's orbit and assessing its risk.
Efforts to detect and track near-Earth objects have improved significantly, with NASA planning the 2027 launch of the NEO Surveyor infrared telescope to identify more hidden threats.
The successful 2022 DART mission demonstrated asteroid deflection capabilities, but experts emphasize the need for further research, funding, and global coordination to enhance planetary defense strategies.