NASA closely monitoring 'city killer asteroid' with 100x power of Hiroshima's bomb that may hit Earth in 2032

Asteroid Hitting Earth (Representative Image: Canva)

NASA is closely monitoring an asteroid that may hit Earth. The space agency is using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to study 2024 YR4, a newly discovered space rock with a 1-in-43 chance of impact. Scientists are working to refine their predictions.

Asteroid's Risk and Potential Impact
NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System identified 2024 YR4 in December 2024. The asteroid is around 180 feet (55 metres) wide, similar in height to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Experts estimate a 2.3 per cent chance of collision in December 2032.

If it strikes, the impact could release energy equal to 15 megatons of TNT. This is nearly 100 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb. Scientists compare the potential damage to the 1908 Tunguska event, which flattened millions of trees in Siberia.

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Why James Webb Is Crucial
An international team of astronomers has secured emergency use of JWST. Unlike ground-based telescopes, it avoids interference from Earth’s atmosphere. This allows it to measure the asteroid’s heat, providing a more accurate size estimate.

ESA officials noted that a 40-metre asteroid poses a different risk than a 90-metre one. Knowing the exact size will help global space agencies, including NASA and ESA, prepare response strategies.

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The first observations are set for March 2025, when YR4 will be brightest. A second round will follow in May before it disappears until 2028. Scientists are racing to gather data before then.