Asteroid 2024 YR4 Racing Toward Earth at 38,000 Km/h—Could Impact Multiple Cities
Asteroid 2024 YR4, racing toward Earth at 38,000 km/h, poses a potential impact threat in December 2032. China mobilizes space experts to deflect it, as NASA warns of a possible catastrophe. Stay updated on global defence efforts.
Asteroid Threat
A newly detected asteroid, 2024 YR4, measuring up to 100 meters in width, is hurtling toward Earth at an alarming speed of 38,000 km/h. First identified by NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in January 2025, this near-Earth object has raised concerns among scientists due to its increased probability of impact in December 2032.
Rising Impact Probability & Devastating Consequences
Initially, experts estimated the collision probability at 1.3%, but recent recalculations have raised it to 2.3%, prompting urgent planetary defence discussions. If 2024 YR4 were to strike, it could unleash an explosion equivalent to 8 million tons of TNT, roughly 500 times the destructive force of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs. The potential blast radius could reach 50 kilometres, turning entire regions into wastelands.
China’s Space Defense Strategy
Recognizing the severity of the threat, China has mobilized a team of space engineers to devise countermeasures aimed at deflecting the asteroid. This effort includes advanced tracking and intervention strategies, ensuring early detection and mitigation of potential asteroid threats. Additionally, China’s Asteroid Warning Network is actively monitoring developments and collaborating with international agencies.
Potential Risk Corridor & Impact Zone
NASA’s Catalina Sky Survey Project has mapped out a potential risk corridor for 2024 YR4’s impact, covering regions across South America, the Pacific Ocean, South Asia, the Arabian Sea, and Africa. Countries at risk include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Sudan, Nigeria, Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador, raising concerns about widespread devastation.
NASA & Global Efforts in Planetary Defense
As part of global planetary defence initiatives, NASA and international space agencies have alerted governments and the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs about the asteroid’s approach. The Space Mission Planning Advisory Group is assessing intervention strategies, ensuring readiness in the event of a high-risk trajectory shift.
While the threat remains uncertain, global space agencies continue to monitor 2024 YR4, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to prevent potential catastrophe.
