Chris Hadfield has sounded the alarm, describing the space rock as a “city-killer” capable of flattening entire urban areas. The asteroid’s destructive potential poses a significant threat to global safety as the international community grapples with this looming danger. What areas are at risk if the asteroid strikes Earth?
Asteroid 2024 YR4: A Looming Threat
Asteroid 2024 YR4, first detected in December 2024 at a distance of 27 million miles from Earth, has captured the attention of astronomers and space agencies worldwide. The space rock, estimated to be between 130 and 300 feet wide, is currently ranked high on NASA’s Sentry risk list for Near Earth Objects (NEOs).
Retired Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield has described the asteroid as “a bullet zeroing in on Earth from deep space.” The potential impact of this celestial body could have devastating consequences, with simulations showing the ability to level buildings in major cities like New York.
This video shows what might occur in 2032 if an asteroid were to strike Earth, This comes after the estimated likelihood of the asteroid 2024 YR4 striking our planet increased from 1.9% to 2.3%. 🤯👀pic.twitter.com/bdEbOMJJiu
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) February 14, 2025
Potential Impact and Consequences
If Asteroid 2024 YR4 were to collide with Earth, the results could be catastrophic. The impact would generate a blast equivalent to 7.7 megatons of TNT, approximately 500 times more powerful than the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II.
The asteroid’s composition further compounds the threat. Hadfield explained, “We think—because of the way it reflects light—that it’s probably a stony asteroid, a bunch of bits of other things that have slowly coalesced together.” This stony composition suggests that the asteroid might not break up in the atmosphere, increasing its destructive potential.
NASA has issued its first-ever Potential Asteroid Impact Notification for the asteroid 2024 YR4. This was in response to the asteroid's high risk of hitting Earth in 2032.
NASA said last week that there is currently a 2.3% (or 1 in 43) chance that the asteroid, dubbed 2024 YR4,… pic.twitter.com/aI4K5xg7TD— ∼Marietta (@MariettaDaviz) February 13, 2025
Global Preparedness and Mitigation Efforts
While the prospect of an asteroid impact is alarming, it’s crucial to note that there is still a 97.7% chance that 2024 YR4 will not hit Earth. Nevertheless, space agencies and scientists are taking the threat seriously and implementing measures to refine impact predictions and develop mitigation strategies.
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is scheduled to observe the asteroid in May, providing more accurate data on its trajectory and composition. This information will be crucial in determining the level of risk and potential countermeasures.
NASA’s successful DART mission has demonstrated the potential to deflect asteroids using the kinetic impactor technique. If necessary, this method could be employed to alter 2024 YR4’s course and prevent a collision with Earth.