Asteroid 2024 YR4 on NASA’s Radar: What Is Near Earth Objects (NEOs)?

Key points:

• ESA is actively monitoring the asteroid in 2024, which has a 1.2% chance of affecting Earth in 2032.
• NEO, including asteroids and comets, can vary in size and orbit and can pose potential harm to the Earth.
• The history of asteroid influences, such as the Tuguska incident and the Chekbub crater, shows the potential destructive power of NEOS.
• International efforts, including the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN), are crucial to tracking and mitigating the risks posed by NEOS.

NASA and the European Space Agency are actively monitoring the asteroid in 2024, with a 1.2% chance of colliding with Earth on December 22, 2032. The director of NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Research stressed that although there is a 99% chance, the likelihood of this possibility is 99%. Asteroids will miss the Earth, and it is still an important object. The trajectory of the asteroid is carefully tracked and further observations are expected to provide more accurate data, increase the probability of impact and ensure accurate risk assessments for future mitigation efforts.

NASA’s analysis of Near-Earth asteroid 2024 YR4 shows that it has an opportunity to affect Earth on December 22, 2032 >1%, which also means that the asteroid will not affect about 99%. With more observations https://t.co/lmfh12k9n8, this initial analysis will change over time. pic.twitter.com/wyxh0uuqeq

You are watching: Asteroid 2024 YR4 on NASA’s Radar: What Is Near Earth Objects (NEOs)?

– NASA Asteroid Watch (@asteroidWatch) January 29, 2025

The European Space Agency (ESA) has been closely monitoring the Asteroid Terrestrial Local Impact System (ATLAS) telescope of the Asteroid Terrestrial Local Impact System (ATLAS) telescope and discovered the asteroid on December 27, 2024. While the possibility of asteroids passing through Earth safely is extremely high, it poses potential risks that could have a significant impact on Earth.

This article combines insights into the details of Near-Earth Objects (NEO) and asteroids in 2024, as well as a deeper exploration of their potential hazards and impact mitigation efforts.

Key details of asteroids in 2024

factor	detail
Discovery date	December 27, 2024
size	Estimated between 40 m and 100 m
Impact risk	The probability of impact on December 22, 2032 is 1.2%
Impact hazard level	Level 3 of the Torino Impact Hazard Scale (indicates close contact)
Current status	Continuous monitoring of ESA and other space agencies
Follow-up observation	Continuous use of advanced telescopes, including the very large telescope (VLT) in Chile

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What is Near-Earth (NEOS)?

Near-Earth Objects (NEOS) are asteroids or comets that were once part of the asteroid belt but were pulled out due to gravitational interactions or collisions with other objects.

Speaking of NEOS size and tracks, most NEOs have a diameter of less than 1 km, but objects may be larger than 40 km. NEOS orbit within 1.3 AU (Astronomy Unit) of the Sun.

Source: ESA

Differences between asteroids, comets and meteoroids

Source: Sciencenotes.org

NEO is classified as asteroids, comets and meteoroids. Let’s see the differences between them.

category	Asteroid	Meteors and meteor showers	comet
definition	The body of the rock is circling the sun, too small to become a planet.	Small rocks or debris burn in the Earth’s atmosphere to form light.	The icy body consists of rocks, dust and frozen gases in the external solar system.
origin	Leftovers from the early solar system group.	Debris of an asteroid or comet enters the Earth’s atmosphere.	Originated from the Oort cloud or Kuiper belt.
size	From tiny rocks to large rocks such as Vesta, Ceres and Hygiea (with a diameter of more than 400 kilometers).	Generally, larger but larger people reaching the surface of the earth are called meteorites.	The diameter can be several kilometers.
Place	Mainly in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Some are called Troy asteroids, which share planetary orbits.	Occurs in the Earth’s atmosphere; meteorites land on the Earth’s surface.	Drive around the sun in slender tracks.
Special types	See more : Optical Illusion Brain Test: are you smart enough to find the Arctic Fox in this image? Nearterites (NEOS) are asteroids that approach the Earth.	Meteor showers occur when the earth passes through debris left by comets or asteroids.	The tail glows as it approaches the sun due to the evaporation of ice.
The importance of science	Provide insights on the formation of the solar system.	Help study space debris and its impact on the earth.	Water and organic compounds may have been passed on to the early stages of the earth, thus affecting the development of life.

The evolution of new detection technology

Early technology

Initially, Neo Discovery relied on photographic film comparisons. Two images of the same sky area are separated for several minutes and used:

• Blink comparator: NEO is detected by making it look “jump”.
• Stereomicroscope: Creates a 3D effect that makes NEOS “rise” above the background stars.

Modern technology

Currently, live-coupled devices (CCDs) replace photographic films. The CCD camera digitally records the image at a resolution of approximately 2000 x 2000 pixels.

The detection process involves taking three images of the same sky area at intervals. Compare images to detect system motion of objects. The movement, brightness and direction of an object help determine its distance, size and track. Computer-assisted analysis facilitates detection, but still uses human verification.

NEOS and past risks of impact events

Historically, NEOS has affected the Earth and caused significant damage. The Meteor Crater in Arizona, USA is a prominent example, formed by objects of only 40-50 m. Other notable impacts include:

• Chicxulub Crater: It is believed to contribute to the mass extinction of dinosaurs.
• Tunguska Incident (1908): Despite being less than 50 m in size, a meteor exploded above Siberia exploded 80 million trees.
• Chelyabinsk Event (2013): A smaller event, but it shows that even smaller NEOs have significant consequences.

The potential impact of big NEOS

Although very new effects are few, their potential for catastrophic consequences cannot be ignored. The huge impact of asteroids may:

• Shockwaves: Create devastating shockwaves, high-speed winds and earthquakes.

• Global temperature changes: The released dust and vapor may block the sunlight, resulting in the effect of the “nuclear winter”.

• Destruction of photosynthesis: The lack of sunlight can destroy the life of plants and can lead to mass extinction.

Planetary Defense Strategy: Dart Mission and Future Asteroid Impact Prevention Program

Planetary defense is a systematic effort to detect, track and mitigate the effects of potential asteroids or comets that may threaten the Earth. Many near-Earth (NEO), NASA, ESA and other global space organizations are detecting each year investing in research and technology to prevent catastrophic collisions.

NEO’s planetary defense strategies include early detection and monitoring, impact prediction and risk assessment, and deflection and mitigation techniques. Let’s learn more about them.

Early detection and monitoring

Organizations such as NASA’s Near-Earth Object Observation (NEOO) program and ESA’s Flyeye Telescope will actively track asteroids. The Neowise mission and the upcoming Neo-Earth Surveyor aim to identify harmful asteroids in advance.

Impact forecasting and risk assessment

NASA’s sentinel system continuously analyzes the probability of the impact of known NEOS.

The last alarm system of asteroid land impact (ATLAS) provides early warnings for smaller objects.

The Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO) manages risk reduction efforts worldwide.

Deflection and mitigation techniques

If the asteroid is in a collision course, there are several deflection strategies that can be used:

• Dynamical Impact: Hit an asteroid with a high-speed object to change its trajectory.
• Gravity Tractor: Use the spacecraft’s gravity tension to gradually move the asteroid’s path.
• Nuclear explosion: Detonate a nuclear device near an asteroid and push it away.
• Laser ablation: Use high-energy lasers to evaporate asteroid material, resulting in motion transfer.
• Solar sailor paint method: Change the reflectivity of an asteroid to change its route by radiating pressure.

National Planet Defense Strategy in 2023

The 2023 National Planetary Defense Strategy has enhanced its preparations for near-Earth Objects (NEO) threats over the next decade, updating its 2018 plan. Its focus is:

• Detection and tracking: Strengthen new identification.
• Risk Assessment: Advancing research and impact forecasting.
• Response Plan: Improve emergency preparedness.
• Global cooperation: Enhance international cooperation.

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DART mission: First planetary defense test

Overview

NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) was launched on November 24, 2021, and is the first realistic demonstration of dynamic influencer technology.

Source: science.nasa.gov

Target

• Test whether a spacecraft can intentionally collide with an asteroid to change its motion.
• Observe the effects on the two holes of the small moon on the asteroid Didymos.

Task results

• On September 26, 2022, Dart successfully affected Dimorphos.
• Observations confirm changes during the lunar orbit period, proving that dynamical effects are a feasible planetary defense strategy.

Future plans for asteroid impact prevention

HERA Task (ESA-2024)

• Hera will conduct a follow-up study of DART to assess the long-term impact of the impact.
• The data will perfect the asteroid deflection model for future missions.

Neo Surveyors Mission (NASA-2027)

• Specialized space telescopes designed to detect and characterize harmful asteroids.
• It is designed to determine that 90% of NEO is greater than 140 meters.

High-speed asteroid mitigation emergency response mission (Hammer)

• The proposed task combines a nuclear influencer and a dynamic deflector.
• Designed for situations where last minute intervention is required.

Joint Global Initiative

• The International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) and the Space Mission Program Advisory Group (SMPAG) coordinate global efforts to defend planets.
• Countries like China and Russia are exploring independent asteroid deflection missions.

Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Optical Illusion