NASA Warns of ‘City Killer’ Asteroid with 3.1% Chance of Impact in 2032

NASA has raised concerns over a newly discovered asteroid, 2024 YR4, which now has a 3.1% probability of striking Earth on December 22, 2032.

The space rock, dubbed a “city killer,” is estimated to be 130 to 300 feet (40–90 meters) wide and could cause massive destruction if it enters the planet’s atmosphere.

What Are the Risks?

Although the rising odds make it the most threatening asteroid ever recorded, experts believe the danger may decrease as more observations refine its trajectory.

“This is not the dinosaur killer. It’s not a planet killer. At most, it’s dangerous for a city,” said Richard Moissl, head of the European Space Agency’s planetary defense office.

How NASA and Scientists Are Responding

• NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope will focus on 2024 YR4 in March to gather more precise data.
• The International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) issued an alert when the impact probability crossed 1%, and the chances have continued to fluctuate.
• If the probability exceeds 10%, a formal warning will be issued, advising preparedness measures in potentially affected areas.

What Happens If It Hits?

If 2024 YR4 enters Earth’s atmosphere, it would likely explode midair with a force of eight megatons of TNT—500 times the power of the Hiroshima bomb. However, if it strikes the surface, the damage could be catastrophic.

The projected impact corridor includes parts of the eastern Pacific, northern South America, the Atlantic, Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and South Asia.

Is There a Plan to Stop It?

Scientists are already exploring deflection strategies based on NASA’s DART mission, which successfully altered an asteroid’s path in 2022. Possible solutions include:

• Gravity tractor: Using a spacecraft’s gravitational pull to change the asteroid’s trajectory.
• Laser ablation: Vaporizing parts of the asteroid’s surface to push it off course.
• Nuclear deflection: A last resort involving nuclear explosions to alter its path.

Final Thoughts

While 2024 YR4 poses a real threat, there is still plenty of time for scientists to refine their calculations and develop countermeasures.

NASA and global space agencies are closely monitoring the situation to ensure Earth remains safe.