NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has captured detailed images of asteroid 2024 YR4, which was once considered the biggest impact threat to Earth.

 

 

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has captured detailed images of asteroid 2024 YR4, which was once considered the biggest impact threat to Earth.

 

Earlier this year, the asteroid briefly topped NASA’s planetary defense watchlist, with an estimated 3.1% chance of striking Earth in 2032—the highest probability recorded for a known large space rock. However, refined calculations have since reduced the risk to nearly zero.

 

Webb’s latest observations confirm the asteroid measures 174 to 220 feet (53–67 meters), making it the smallest object ever observed by the telescope. Scientists plan to continue tracking 2024 YR4, as it remains a valuable subject for planetary defense research.

 

While Earth is no longer at risk, there is now a 3.8% chance the asteroid could impact the Moon on December 22, 2032, prompting continued monitoring by NASA and astronomers worldwide.