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2024 YR4 facts for kids
2024 YR4 (centered) tracked by the Very Large Telescope in January 2025
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|
| Discovery | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | ATLAS–CHL (W68) |
| Discovery site | Río Hurtado, Chile |
| Discovery date | 27 December 2024 |
| Designations | |
| MPC designation | 2024 YR4 |
| Orbital characteristics(JPL) | |
| Epoch 5 May 2025 (JD 2460800.5) | |
| Uncertainty parameter 4 | |
| Observation arc | 63 days |
| Earliest precovery date | 25 December 2024 |
| Aphelion | 4.180 AU |
| Perihelion | 0.8515 AU |
| 2.5159 AU | |
| Eccentricity | 0.6616 |
| 3.991 yr (1457.62 days) |
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| 40.40° | |
|
Mean motion
|
0.2470° per day |
| Inclination | 3.408° |
| 271.366° | |
| 22 November 2024 (UTC) 19 November 2028 (UTC) 21 November 2032 (UTC) |
|
| 134.361° | |
| Earth MOID | 0.00283 AU (423,000 km; 1.10 LD) |
| Jupiter MOID | 1.2715 AU |
| Physical characteristics | |
|
Mean diameter
|
|
| 0.32440 ± 0.00002 h (19.4640 ± 0.0012 min) | |
| S (most likely), L, or K | |
| 24 (13 February) 25 (26 February) 29.4 (2026 opposition) |
|
| 24.05±0.15 (phase corrected) 23.96±0.28 (JPL) |
|
2024 YR4 is a space rock called an asteroid. It is known as an Apollo-type object because its path crosses Earth's orbit. Scientists believe it is about 40 to 90 meters (130 to 295 feet) wide.
From late January to late February 2025, this asteroid was on a special list called the Torino scale. This scale helps scientists measure how likely an asteroid is to hit Earth. At first, it had a rating of 3, meaning a close encounter was possible. But by February 26, 2025, its rating dropped to 0, which means the chance of impact is very, very low.
Scientists now estimate there is a 1-in-91,000 (0.0011%) chance it could hit Earth on December 22, 2032. This risk is much lower than the usual background risk from other space objects. The area where it might potentially hit in 2032 is very wide, about 540,000 kilometers (335,000 miles).
Even though the asteroid might pass closer to the Moon than Earth in 2032, the exact path is still a bit uncertain. There's a small 1.7% chance it could hit the Moon around 3:19 PM UTC on December 22, 2032.
Discovery of 2024 YR4
The asteroid was found by a special system called the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS). This system is located in Río Hurtado, Chile. ATLAS discovered 2024 YR4 on December 27, 2024.
When early observations showed a chance of impact higher than 1%, it caused a stir among space agencies. This led to the first step in "planetary defense" efforts. Many large telescopes started gathering more information about the asteroid. Space agencies supported by the United Nations also began making plans to deal with potential asteroid threats.
Asteroid's Journey and Future Observations
2024 YR4 actually came very close to Earth on December 25, 2024. This was two days before it was even discovered! It passed about 828,800 kilometers (515,000 miles) away. Now, it is moving further away from Earth.
Its next close approach will be on December 17, 2028. From early April 2025 to June 2028, the asteroid will be too far away for most telescopes on Earth to see. However, special telescopes in space that use infrared light might still be able to watch it. For example, the James Webb Space Telescope is set to observe it between March and May 2025.
Scientists have studied the asteroid's light and how it spins. They think 2024 YR4 is most likely a stony S-type asteroid. It could also be an L-type or K-type asteroid. It spins quite fast, completing a full rotation in about 19.5 minutes.
See also
In Spanish: 2024 YR4 para niños