NASA updates the chances on 'city-killer' asteroid 2024 YR4 hitting Earth

The asteroid that was determined to be the most significant threat to Earth has now had it's chances of impacting our planet updated by NASA.

NASA has taken to its website to once again update the probability of 2024 YR4 impacting Earth, with the space agency initially estimating a 1.3% of it colliding with our planet in 2032, which was then promptly increased to 2.3%, and then a 3.1% chance after follow-up observations. Now, after more observations have been conducted the space agency can report the probability of impact in 2032 has been brought down to just 0.28%. NASA took to its Planetary Defense blog on February 20 to write, "Observations made overnight on Feb. 19 - 20 of asteroid 2024 YR4 have further decreased its chance of Earth impact on Dec. 22, 2032, to 0.28%."

While Earth can wipe its brow and almost say, "Close one!" the Moon isn't so lucky, as these follow-up observations increased the chance of asteroid 2024 YR4 impacting our closest neighbor. "With this new data, the chance of an impact with the Moon increased slightly to 1%," writes the space agency. For those wondering why the impact probabilities have been jumping around so much, NASA explains this is simply the process of scientific evaluation, with the space agency writing on its FAQ:

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"This is the scientific process! As NASA and others involved in the International Asteroid Warning Network gather more observations of asteroid 2024 YR4, the asteroid's future trajectory is able to be better understood," writes NASA

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