Overview

• Asteroid 2024 YR4, initially considered a high-risk object with a 3.1% chance of Earth impact, now poses no significant threat to the planet.
• Recent observations by the James Webb Space Telescope confirmed the asteroid's size at approximately 60 meters, comparable to a 15-story building.
• The asteroid retains a 2% chance of impacting the Moon in 2032, potentially generating debris that could affect human space operations.
• Webb's data revealed unique thermal and surface properties, including a rocky surface dominated by fist-sized or larger rocks and a fast spin.
• The study of 2024 YR4 highlights advancements in planetary defense and provides valuable insights into the behavior of similar-sized near-Earth objects.