Scientists have released pictures of what the ‘city destroying’ asteroid looks like as the exact locations it could hit have been revealed.
NASA found a somewhat concerning asteroid in December last year which they’ve gone on to name 2024 YR4.
The space rock was initially spotted by an automated telescope in Chile and went to the top of the impact risk list maintained by US and European space agencies.
Scientists predict the asteroid could crash into Earth on December 22, 203
The asteroid has been photographed (Catalina Sky Survey/ LPL/Dr. Wierzchos/ Bryce Bolin/Twitter/@estelsiplanetes)
According to reports, it could be as big as the Statue of Liberty or Cinderella’s Castle in Walt Disney World Florida, and scientist Dr Robin George Andrews has warned even protecting ourselves from its impact could go wrong.
He explained that firing rockets at it to deflect it from its path could spark the end times.
Similar articles to this
Nine countries at risk of being struck by ‘city-destroying’ asteroid that could hit Earth in 2032
Scientists reveal the most populated cities at risk of ‘city-destroying’ asteroid that could hit Earth in seven years
Expert reveals what would happen if ‘city destroying’ asteroid hit the Moon instead of Earth
NASA has officially upgraded chances of ‘city-destroying’ asteroid hitting Earth seven years from now
Scientists give chilling update on ‘city-destroying’ asteroid that may hit Earth as NASA makes emergency decision
Experts reveal exact locations where ‘city destroying’ asteroid could hit Earth seven years from now
Terrifying animation shows disastrous impact ‘city destroying’ asteroid could have on Earth seven years from now
Expert explains why it might be ‘too late’ to use current technology to ‘stop’ ‘city-destroying’ asteroid which could hit earth in 7 years
How scientists deflect asteroids after experts reveal exact locations where ‘city destroyer’ could hit
Shocking simulations shows how asteroid that might strike Earth could destroy cities
.webp)
Story behind one of the ‘most terrifying photos’ ever taken in space is chilling
Everywhere in the USA that could see the Northern Lights this week as solar event is confirmed
-2.webp)
Eerie new audio released by US Coast Guard believed to be moment of Titan sub implosion
Former NASA staffer reveals shocking amount ‘stranded’ astronauts are being paid for their time in space
Bizarre music heard by astronauts on far side of the moon that left them terrified after NASA warning
NASA reveals ‘city-destroyer’ is the asteroid that poses biggest threat in agency’s entire history
Elon Musk makes shocking claim about the reason why NASA astronauts are still stranded in space
Scientists make surprising discovery about the Earth’s core that could affect the length of a day
Shocking reality behind stranded NASA astronauts’ health problems and how it compares to Earth
Stranded NASA astronauts could face serious impacts on their bodies as SpaceX announces official date of return
Similar articles to this
People outraged after White House posts ‘disturbing’ ASMR video
Scientists claim to have discovered evidence of ‘soul’ leaving the body when we die
Missing tapes could solve mystery behind one of America’s most notorious serial killers
Release date set for new iPhone as Apple unveils ‘totally new’ product with ‘breakthrough’ feature
Doctor reveals the one personal item you shouldn’t risk sharing after woman was left paralyzed
Expert reveals the clear signs to tell if your colleagues like you at work
Apple announces release of new iPhone and it comes with ‘breakthrough’ feature
Woman who ‘won’ her husband on TikTok defends decision after sparking controversy
Woman who suffers from condition that makes her allergic to water ‘cries in agony’ every time she washes
Federal judge denies ‘final attempt to stop’ Elon Musk from accessing confidential government data
Chilling ‘truth’ about the Virgin Mary that ‘weeps tears of blood’ finally revealed
NASA-funded experiment went horribly wrong after dolphin ‘fell in love’ with his trainer
Family of father who died in DC plane crash begin $250,000,000 proceedings against the government
Elon Musk says he wants to ‘die on Mars’ in bizarre new interview with Trump
Donald Trump officials desperate to rehire people working on bird flu outbreak after accidentally firing them
Donald Trump finally discloses what Elon Musk’s real job is for the federal government
Aviation expert details key factors in Delta crash that saved lives as plane flipped upside-down
Two fetuses shockingly found inside baby boy’s tummy that were once his siblings
Man reveals how much YouTube paid him for 1,300,000,000 views and the results might surprise you
Drake fans discover ‘the truth’ behind bizarre viral video of drone flying over his Sydney penthouse
But with a one-in-48 chance, it’s still unlikely it will actually hit home.
Still, scientists are still studying the asteroid and have now released images of what it looks like.
The snap was captured on February 7 this year by the 8.1-meter Gemini South telescope on Cerro Pachón mountain in the Chilean Andes.
At the time, the asteroid was around 37 million miles from Earth and 130 million miles from the sun, according to Space.com.
Bryce Bolin, the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center astronomer who helped capture the photograph, told the outlet: “I find 2024 YT4 to be extremely exciting! Not only because of its notoriety but for the scientific potential of studying such a small asteroid in high detail.
“Only a few asteroids have been studied like this.”
Explaining how he got the image, he said: “We took 12 200-second long exposures in the Red band and tracked the motion of the asteroid to obtain these images.
There’s a one-in-48 chance of the asteroid striking Earth (Getty Images)
“The observations were difficult for three reasons. Firstly, the asteroid was faint, requiring the use of large telescopes to observe.”
This is because the 2024 YR4 was visible when the moon was 70 per cent illuminated, meaning there was other background light in the sky and more difficult to detect the asteroid.
Secondly, the asteroid was moving 0.26 arceseconds per minute, which meant Bolin and the team had to carefully track it with Gemini South.
It isn’t the first time space boffins have captured a pic of the asteroid either, though NASA last published a glimpse of on December 27 last year.
The International Asteroid Warning Network is also continuing to monitor and track the asteroid to determine its risk, as it will be visible throughout April.
However, after that, it will be ‘too faint to observe’ up until June 2028.
