“City killer“ asteroid could hit Earth in 2032

Tengrinews.kz - The "city killer" asteroid has a 1 in 83 chance of hitting Earth, according to Techinsider. Scientists estimate that the space rock, dubbed 2024 YR4, has a 1.2% chance of colliding with our planet.

NASA scientists have spotted the piece of space debris that could strike Earth in 2032. While it is unlikely to wipe out humanity, it could destroy an entire city.

The asteroid, named 2024 YR4, was discovered by NASA's Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert system on December 27, 2024. Researchers estimate that the chances of it impacting Earth in 2032 are about 1 in 83. If it strikes, it is expected to release about 8 megatons of energy—more than 500 times the force of the atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima, Japan.

Although the asteroid is currently moving away from us, it may have several close encounters with Earth in the next fifty years. Its next close pass will occur at the end of 2028, followed by six more in the period from 2032 to 2074. According to NASA, the highest likelihood of impact is expected on December 22, 2032.

NASA stated that the initial analysis will evolve over time as more observations are collected.

Currently, no other known large asteroid has a collision probability higher than 1 percent.