Giant Space Rock 2024 YR4 Might Hit Earth in 2032!
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NASA has discovered a giant space rock, called asteroid 2024 YR4, that has a small chance—about 3%—of hitting Earth in 2032. Scientists are keeping a close eye on it because if it does hit, it could land in the ocean or near big cities like Mumbai, Dhaka, and Bogota, where millions of people live.
The asteroid was first spotted on December 27, 2024, by a telescope in Chile after it passed close to Earth on Christmas. Experts estimate it could be between 40 to 90 meters in size—about as tall as the Statue of Liberty! Right now, it’s ranked 3 out of 10 on the Torino Scale, meaning it’s the biggest space threat scientists have seen so far.
But don’t worry! NASA and other space agencies, like the European Space Agency, are tracking it carefully. Many asteroids in the past have been removed from the danger list once more data was collected. The James Webb Space Telescope will take a closer look in 2025 to find out its exact size and risk level.
Scientists will keep studying the asteroid until April 2025, after which it will be too far away until 2028. If the risk increases, emergency teams worldwide will be alerted. For now, scientists believe there’s still a good chance it will miss Earth, but they will continue to monitor it closely. Space experts are always watching to keep our planet safe! 
