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The James Webb Space Telescope Registered For The First Time A Detailed Image Of An Asteroid That, In The Past, Was Considered The Biggest Potential Threat To Earth. Although Today Its Trajectory Does Not Represent Immediate Danger, The Observation Represents A Milestone For Science And Helps To Refine Monitoring Models Of Objects Near The Planet
An asteroid that was considered the biggest threat to Earth has just been observed by the James Webb Space Telescope. The space rock, called 2024 YR4, appeared as a faint point in the images released by NASA and the European Space Agency.
In early 2024, 2024 YR4 topped NASA’s planetary defense list. At the time, scientists estimated a 3% chance of it colliding with Earth in 2032.
This number was the highest recorded among more than 37,000 known large asteroids. It was the only one with a realistic probability of impact.
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The alert came after the asteroid appeared on the Sentry Impact Risk Table, used to monitor objects that could strike our planet. It became the focus of attention from the astronomical community.
However, this concern subsided by the end of February. New observations and more precise calculations reduced the chances of impact to practically zero.
Webb Confirms Asteroid Size
Even with the threat ruled out, the asteroid remains under observation. The images from James Webb helped confirm that 2024 YR4 has a diameter between 53 and 67 meters, roughly the size of a ten-story building.
This measurement is more accurate than the previous estimate made with ground-based telescopes, which ranged from 40 to 90 meters.
According to NASA, 2024 YR4 is the smallest object ever captured by the Webb telescope, considered the most powerful today.
The observations made now will assist in monitoring other asteroids. Andrew Rivkin, an astronomer at Johns Hopkins University and participant in the observations, highlighted the importance of the study as a form of training. For him, understanding objects like this is essential for addressing future risks.
Possible Impact On The Moon
Although the threat to Earth has been ruled out, the Moon may still be struck. NASA updated the chance of a lunar impact for December 22, 2032. The risk increased from 1.7% to 3.8% between February and March. Still, the agency asserts that any potential impact would not alter the Moon’s orbit.
The asteroid 2024 YR4 passes by Earth every four years. It was first detected by the ATLAS system in Chile at the end of December 2024. The initial report was sent to the Minor Planet Center, the agency that catalogs near-Earth objects.
Even without an immediate risk, scientists will continue to monitor 2024 YR4. After mid-April, it should move too far away to be observed from Earth, but the James Webb plans new recordings for late April or early May.
Importance For Planetary Defense
The study of this type of asteroid is essential for improving planetary defensive strategies. In addition to 2024 YR4, researchers are also focusing on Apophis, another asteroid that has been considered a threat.
These objects provide a unique opportunity to better understand the space rocks that roam our neighborhood. With this data, space agencies seek to improve their methods of prevention and response to potential dangers from space.
Even though 2024 YR4 is no longer an immediate risk to Earth, monitoring continues. The study serves as a practical example for future similar situations, where quick and precise action can make all the difference.
The latest information disclosed by NASA indicates that the asteroid remains under analysis and should be observed again very soon, keeping scientists’ attention focused on space.
With information from Interesting Engineering.
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