Scientists investigate 'city-destroying' asteroid that could potentially hit Earth

NASA is keeping a close watch on a newly discovered asteroid, '2024 YR4,' which has a small chance of colliding with Earth in 2032. The asteroid was spotted on December 27th by a telescope in Chile, located around 27 million miles away. Measuring between 130 to 330 feet (40 to 100 meters) in size, it could potentially cause significant damage if it were to strike a city, like Kansas City.

However, Paul Chodas, director of NASA’s Centre for Near Earth Object Studies, reassures the public, noting that the probability of a collision is only 1.2 percent. "We are not worried at all because there’s a 99 percent chance it will miss," he said. "But it deserves attention."

David Rankin, a NASA scientist, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that the impact probability is still very low. "The most likely outcome will be a close approach that misses us," he added.

Currently, the asteroid's risk corridor spans from South America across the Atlantic Ocean to sub-Saharan Africa, though this could change as more data becomes available. Understanding the asteroid’s size and composition is crucial to predicting potential damage. Scientists are unable to accurately calculate its size due to its distance, but by 2028, they should have a clearer picture.

The composition of the asteroid plays a key role in determining its impact. If made of stony material, it could cause a fireball and air burst. If it's made of iron, it could penetrate the atmosphere and create a crater.

Though the risk remains minimal, the asteroid is still being monitored closely. If a collision were to occur, it would be most likely on December 22, 2032.