NASA studies 'city-killing' asteroid 2024 YR4 amid increased collision risks

NASA has escalated its efforts to study Asteroid 2024 YR4, which now has a 1-in-43 chance of colliding with Earth in 2032, up from earlier estimates of around 1%. The asteroid, estimated to be between 130 to 295 feet across, poses a potential threat comparable to the Tunguska event of 1908, which devastated a vast area of Siberia. To better assess the asteroid's size and potential impact, NASA has enlisted the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to conduct infrared observations, as current estimates based on visible light may underestimate its dimensions. Astronomers emphasize the importance of accurate sizing, stating that the hazard level changes significantly between a 40-meter and a 90-meter asteroid. The JWST will perform two observations, with the first set for March and the second for May, as scientists aim to gather crucial data to refine impact predictions. The growing concern surrounding Asteroid 2024 YR4 has placed it at the top of NASA's watch list for extraterrestrial hazards.