Asteroid 2024 YR4's Risk of Earth Impact Drops, but Monitoring Continues

NASA updates predictions, lowering the asteroid's impact probability while outlining potential deflection strategies if needed.

Asteroid 2024 YR4, discovered in December 2024, currently has a 0.28% chance of impacting Earth on December 22, 2032, down from a high of 3.1%.
Measuring 40-90 meters wide, the asteroid is classified as a 'city-killer,' with the potential to cause significant destruction if it hits a populated area.
NASA and other agencies are monitoring the asteroid's orbit, with experts expecting the risk level to drop to zero as more data is gathered.
Potential planetary defense strategies include spacecraft impact tests, gravity tractors, ion beams, and nuclear explosions, though the latter is considered a last resort.
If deflection fails, experts emphasize that evacuation and preparation plans could mitigate the impact, with over seven years available for planning.