Asteroid 2024 YR4: 5 Key Facts About the Space Rock Heading for Earth in 2032

Scientists are closely watching Asteroid 2024 YR4, a large space rock that has the potential to collide with Earth. 

Though the chances of it hitting our planet are low, the possibility is enough to keep scientists monitoring its path. Here are five key things you should know about this asteroid:

When was it discovered?

Asteroid 2024 YR4 was first spotted on January 27, 2025, by the NASA-funded Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in Chile. This system uses telescopes around the world to detect and track asteroids. Since its discovery, scientists have been tracking its movement to understand its potential impact on Earth.

How big is it?

This asteroid is huge! It’s estimated to be between 130 and 300 feet (40 to 90 meters) wide. To put it into perspective, that’s about the size of a large building. The European Space Agency (ESA) also reports similar size estimates for the asteroid.

Could it destroy Earth?

No, Asteroid 2024 YR4 will not destroy Earth. The chances of it actually hitting Earth are very small. According to NASA, it’s large enough to cause localized damage, but the odds of it striking our planet are very low. The asteroid has a small probability of an impact, which has slightly increased recently due to new observations, but it’s still a very unlikely event.

When might it hit Earth?

If the asteroid were to collide with Earth, it could happen on December 22, 2032. However, scientists are still observing its path, and there’s a chance that the asteroid may be ruled out as a threat as more data is collected. This happens with many space objects that seem threatening at first but eventually pose no risk.

Could it hit Nigeria?

Some reports have suggested that Nigeria might be one of the countries affected if the asteroid were to strike Earth. However, NASA and the ESA have not identified any specific locations where it could hit. In the past, smaller asteroids have entered Earth’s atmosphere, like the one over Chelyabinsk, Russia, in 2013, but these incidents rarely cause significant harm on a global scale.

While the idea of an asteroid hitting Earth might sound scary, the chances of this event are very small. Scientists will continue to monitor Asteroid 2024 YR4, and as more observations are made, we’ll have a clearer understanding of its path. 

For now, there’s no reason to panic, but it’s always interesting to learn more about what’s happening in space!