Asteroid 2024 YR4: The Rock That Won’t Crash Our Holiday Party… Yet
2024 YR4, a newly spotted asteroid, drew astronomers' attention in late 2024 due to its close proximity to Earth. There is a 2.3% chance of collision, equating to 23 near-miss…
Asteroids are small, rocky bodies that orbit the Sun, primarily found in the asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. They are remnants from the early solar system, formed about 4.6 billion years ago, and vary in size from a few meters to hundreds of kilometers in diameter. Unlike planets, asteroids do not have a spherical shape and can be irregular in form. They are composed mainly of rock and metal, and their surfaces can be covered with dust and debris. Asteroids are considered important for scientific research because they can provide insights into the solar system’s formation and the history of planetary bodies. Some asteroids have orbits that bring them close to Earth, and these are classified as near-Earth asteroids (NEAs), which are of interest due to their potential for impact with our planet.
2024 YR4, a newly spotted asteroid, drew astronomers' attention in late 2024 due to its close proximity to Earth. There is a 2.3% chance of collision, equating to 23 near-miss…