The potential threat posed by the 2024 YR4 asteroid, which is expected to come close to Earth by 2032, has prompted space agencies and experts to propose various methods to avert a possible collision. With a diameter of about 90 meters, the asteroid could have devastating effects if it were to impact Earth, with energy comparable to an 8-megaton nuclear bomb.
Despite the low probability of impact—currently estimated at 2.2 percent by the European Space Agency—contingency plans are being considered. Dr. David Whitehouse has suggested the use of nuclear weapons to alter the asteroid’s trajectory. Alternatively, NASA’s successful Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission, which used kinetic impactors to change an asteroid’s course, could be a viable approach given the tested asteroid was larger than YR4.
Another theoretical method under consideration is laser ablation, which involves heating parts of the asteroid to create gas emissions that could nudge it off its path. Although this technology has yet to be tested, it remains a potential option.
Experts like Robert Massey of the Royal Astronomical Society emphasize that the likelihood of an impact is very low, and advancements in observational technology are expected to further reduce this probability. As such, while policymakers and astronomers continue to monitor the situation closely, the general public is advised not to be overly concerned at this stage.
Regular updates from the European Space Agency will provide ongoing information about the asteroid’s trajectory as 2032 approaches.