NASA make emergency decision on giant asteroid on course for Earth collision

The government agency have issued a date of impact.

It is estimated that asteroid 2024 YR4, which was spotted by a telescope in Chile last December, has a one-in-43 chance of smashing into our planet in 2032. Experts around the world have joined forces to figure out a plan of action.

On Friday, NASA doubled the probability of the asteroid hitting Earth, meaning it now has a 2.3 per cent chance of impact.

They added that the date of impact would be December 22, 2032.

The colossal space rock, comparable in size to a small planet, could potentially obliterate an entire city if it strikes. Given the significant threat, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has been made accessible to international scientists to assess the potential devastation and strategize a response plan.

Earlier this week, Professor Brian Cox issued a warning to humanity to prepare itself for a potentially city-destroying astronomical event.

The 56-year-old suggested the world may soon have to “make a decision” in regards to the asteroid and whether a “deflection mission” is prepared should the likelihood of impact grow.

In a post on X, the physicist wrote: "Interesting situation – if the probability remains this high then we will have to make a decision on preparing a deflection mission – which would be a good investment even if (as is most likely) we don’t need to use it this time.

"It’s as if the Universe has decided to do an experiment to see if Planet Earth is still capable of taking rational decisions!"

As observations of the asteroid continue, it is possible that it will be ruled out as an impact hazard, as often happens. However, it is also possible its impact probability will continue to rise.

You can read more about asteroid 2024 YR4 on the NASA website here.