NASA scientists previously estimated that the odds of 'city-killer' asteroid 2024 YR4 hitting Earth could rise to 20 percent, but the agency never told the public.
NASA estimated asteroid 2024 YR4, a 200-foot-wide space rock, had a 20% chance of hitting Earth in 2032 but did not inform the public. The asteroid, first detected in December, initially had a 1.2% collision chance, rising to 3.1% by February 18. It was rated a Torino Scale 3, indicating a potential threat. By February 20, the odds dropped to 0.005%, removing it from the threat list. While no longer a danger to Earth, it might strike the moon. NASA will continue monitoring, with the James Webb Telescope studying it in March and a safe Earth approach in 2028.
