Podcast
Questions and Answers
A ______ in Chile detected a faint point of light.
A ______ in Chile detected a faint point of light.
telescope
The asteroid is officially designated ______.
The asteroid is officially designated ______.
2024 YR4
NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies estimated a ______ chance of an impact with Earth in 2032.
NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies estimated a ______ chance of an impact with Earth in 2032.
1.9
The asteroid is estimated to be between ______ feet wide.
The asteroid is estimated to be between ______ feet wide.
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The ______ scale is used for measuring the risk of potential asteroid impacts.
The ______ scale is used for measuring the risk of potential asteroid impacts.
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Asteroid 2024 YR4 is now rated at Level 3 on the ______ scale.
Asteroid 2024 YR4 is now rated at Level 3 on the ______ scale.
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The asteroid warning network is affiliated with the ______.
The asteroid warning network is affiliated with the ______.
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The asteroid's orbit is ______ meaning it follows a path around the Sun that is not a perfect circle.
The asteroid's orbit is ______ meaning it follows a path around the Sun that is not a perfect circle.
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The ______ from the spacecraft's death dive into the asteroid was enough to slightly nudge the object off its natural orbit.
The ______ from the spacecraft's death dive into the asteroid was enough to slightly nudge the object off its natural orbit.
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The mission, called DART, put a small spacecraft on a collision course with an asteroid two to ______ times larger than 2024 YR4.
The mission, called DART, put a small spacecraft on a collision course with an asteroid two to ______ times larger than 2024 YR4.
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The ______ of using a nuclear warhead is that it could shatter one large asteroid into many smaller objects.
The ______ of using a nuclear warhead is that it could shatter one large asteroid into many smaller objects.
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The asteroid could devastate an area the size of a ______, but any impact is most likely to happen in a remote region or in the ocean.
The asteroid could devastate an area the size of a ______, but any impact is most likely to happen in a remote region or in the ocean.
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The risk corridor for 2024 YR4 extends from the eastern Pacific Ocean to ______, the Atlantic Ocean, Africa, the Arabian Sea, and South Asia.
The risk corridor for 2024 YR4 extends from the eastern Pacific Ocean to ______, the Atlantic Ocean, Africa, the Arabian Sea, and South Asia.
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The group decided on Monday to give astronomers a few more ______ to refine their estimates of the asteroid's orbit before taking action.
The group decided on Monday to give astronomers a few more ______ to refine their estimates of the asteroid's orbit before taking action.
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If there's still a greater than 1 percent probability of 2024 YR4 hitting the Earth, the group will issue a recommendation for further action to the ______ Office for Outer Space Affairs.
If there's still a greater than 1 percent probability of 2024 YR4 hitting the Earth, the group will issue a recommendation for further action to the ______ Office for Outer Space Affairs.
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Flashcards
Asteroid 2024 YR4
Asteroid 2024 YR4
An asteroid detected close to Earth with a potential impact risk in 2032.
Impact Probability
Impact Probability
The chance that an asteroid will collide with Earth, measured in percentages.
1.9 percent
1.9 percent
Current estimated probability of asteroid 2024 YR4 impacting Earth in 2032.
Torino Scale
Torino Scale
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ATLAS
ATLAS
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Level 3 Rating
Level 3 Rating
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IAWN
IAWN
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Impact Probability Threshold
Impact Probability Threshold
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Orbit of 2024 YR4
Orbit of 2024 YR4
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SMPAG
SMPAG
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Deflection Mission
Deflection Mission
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DART Mission
DART Mission
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Evacuation Plans
Evacuation Plans
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Risk Corridor
Risk Corridor
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Study Notes
Asteroid 2024 YR4: Potential Impact in 2032
- Asteroid 2024 YR4, discovered in late December 2024, has a projected close approach to Earth in 2028 and 2032.
- A small chance (1.9% as of Thursday) of impact with Earth on December 22, 2032, is currently estimated.
- The probability is constantly changing as more observations are made.
- Asteroid is estimated to be 130-300 feet (40-90 meters) wide.
- Similar in size to object responsible for the Tunguska event.
- Classified as a Level 3 on the Torino Impact Hazard Scale, indicating a need for close attention.
Impact Risk Assessment and Mitigation
- The asteroid's impact probability likely will decrease to zero over time as more observations are obtained.
- The asteroid's path is difficult to determine due to current trajectory.
- Monitoring requires telescopes that can see the asteroid before it becomes too distant from Earth.
Potential Impact Consequences
- Localized devastation near impact site possible.
- Blast damage up to 30 miles from impact or in the case of an airburst.
- The risk corridor covers eastern Pacific Ocean, South America, Atlantic, Africa, Arabian Sea, and South Asia.
International Response
- International collaboration is key to response.
- The Space Mission Planning Advisory Group (SMPAG) is coordinating among space agencies.
- SMPAG will allow astronomers more time to refine orbit calculations before activating action plans.
- Further action will be taken if probability is still greater than 1% and recommended to UN Office if necessary.
Asteroid Deflection Options
- Deflection mission is a possible option if necessary.
- NASA's successful DART mission (2022) demonstrated asteroid deflection using kinetic energy.
- Nuclear deflection is an alternative option, but is less favored than kinetic methods due to potential fragmentation of the asteroid.
- Evacuation is possible and should be done if needed.
Public Perception and Funding
- Public awareness of asteroid monitoring is high.
- Asteroid monitoring is considered a valuable use of resources compared to other space missions like Moon or Mars missions.
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Description
This quiz focuses on Asteroid 2024 YR4 and its potential impact with Earth in 2032. You'll explore its size, probability of impact, and the implications of such an event. Understand the importance of monitoring and risk assessment in planetary defense.
