Scientists say it has a 98% chance of missing us
A newly discovered asteroid has quickly shot to the top of NASA’s risk list.
The asteroid, named 2024 YR4, has about a 2.1 per cent chance of hitting the Earth.
An asteroid is a rocky object that orbits the sun.
Asteroid 2024 YR4 was discovered on Jan. 27 by a telescope in Chile.
It is being monitored by NASA and the European Space Agency, which are both tracking how likely it is to hit Earth.
Currently, the asteroid is in the top spot on NASA’s Earth Impact monitoring list.
If the asteroid were to hit the Earth, NASA estimates that would happen on Dec. 22, 2032.
It would most likely land somewhere in an area stretching from East Asia to the west coast of South America, relatively close to the equator.
If that sounds scary, take a deep breath — scientists say the chances of 2024 YRT hitting the Earth are very low.
Watch the video to find out why you shouldn’t lose sleep over it.
Scientists are tracking other asteroids, too.
There’s one called Bennu that is much bigger than 2024 YR4.
There is a chance Bennu could strike in 2182, causing widespread destruction — but the chances of that happening are even less likely than 2024 YR4.
And there is another reason to be optimistic: scientists have had some recent success testing out defence systems that could help protect Earth from asteroids.
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TOP IMAGE CREDIT: NASA, image submitted by Sophia Smoke, graphic design by Philip Street/CBC
