NASA has revised the trajectory of asteroid 2024 YR4, initially identified as a potential Earth impact risk. Data collected in May 2025, using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), has been crucial in refining the asteroid's orbit.
The updated analysis, based on observations from JWST's near-infrared camera, now indicates that the threat of an Earth impact has been eliminated. However, the probability of the asteroid passing near the Moon in December 2032 has slightly increased from 3.8% to 4.3%. This highlights the ongoing need for continuous monitoring of near-Earth objects.
Asteroid 2024 YR4, first discovered in December 2024, is estimated to be between 53 and 67 meters in length. Scientists are utilizing this asteroid as a practical scenario for planetary defense strategies. These strategies include early detection and risk assessment, and further observations are scheduled for 2028 to continue refining the asteroid's trajectory predictions.