NASA Monitors 'City-Killer' Asteroid with 3.1% Chance of Earth Impact in 2032

Asteroid 2024 YR4 poses the highest recorded collision risk, though experts anticipate probabilities will likely drop with further observations.

Asteroid 2024 YR4, discovered in December 2024, currently has a 3.1% chance of hitting Earth on December 22, 2032, making it the most hazardous asteroid ever recorded by modern forecasting.
The asteroid, estimated to be 40-90 meters wide, is classified as a 'city-killer' capable of significant localized destruction but not a global catastrophe.
Astronomers expect the impact probability to fluctuate and likely decrease as more data is collected, with the James Webb Space Telescope set to observe the asteroid in March.
Potential deflection strategies under consideration include spacecraft impact, gravitational tractors, and even nuclear options, though experts stress the need for precision to avoid unintended consequences.
International agencies and scientists emphasize that there is ample time to act, with seven years to refine risk assessments and develop mitigation plans if necessary.