What is this story of asteroid as big as a football field that will hit the earth in 2032?

Scientists have identified a new asteroid that is arousing worry for its potential impact with the earth. It is 2024 YR4, discovered at the end of 2024 thanks to the Atlas (Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System) system, a surveillance program dedicated to identifying space objects that could represent a threat to our planet.

Preliminary observations indicate that this celestial body has a probability of 1 out of 83 to hit the earth on 22 December 2032equal to about 1.2%. With an estimated diameter between 40 and 100 meters2024 YR4 is classified at level 3 on the Turin scale, an assessment system that measures the risk of collision with the earth.

This level suggests that the asteroid deserves attention, since a possible impact could cause significant damage on a local scale. To get an idea of ​​its danger, an object of this dimensions could completely destroy a big one cityreleasing an energy comparable to that of hundreds of atomic bombs. Fortunately, the effects would be geographically limited and would not represent a global threat.

In case of risk of impact, it would be possible to deviate the route

Despite concerns, it is important to remember that the probability of collision they could change in the coming years. Further observations will help scientists to calculate the orbit of 2024 YR4 with greater precision.

Similar situations have already happened in the past, as in the case of the asteroid Apophis 99942initially considered dangerous but then downgraded following new analyzes. Even for 2024 YR4 is hoped for a similar result, even if at the moment it remains under close surveillance.

In case of a concrete impact risk, however, there are strategies to defend the planet. One of these is the kinetic deviationa technique that provides for the use of a probe to slightly change the trajectory of the asteroid. NASA has already demonstrated the feasibility of this solution with the Dart mission, which successfully tested the deviation of a small asteroid in 2022.

Although 2024 YR4 does not represent an imminent threat to the whole humanity, his case underlines the importance of continuously monitor space objects and to invest in planetary defense technologies. The question is not if the earth will be affected by a great asteroid, but when this will happen, making it fundamental to be ready to answer.