NASA Warns About Asteroid YR4: Could It Hit Earth in 2032? India, Be Prepared
we’re discussing a major warning issued recently by NASA that has caught global attention — about asteroid YR4, which is currently headed toward Earth.
What is Asteroid YR4?
Asteroid YR4 is a space rock measuring approximately 40 to 90 meters in diameter. Currently, it’s about 500,000 miles away from Earth and moving closer. NASA has issued alerts suggesting that the asteroid could either pass very close to Earth or potentially collide with it around the year 2032.
Initially, NASA estimated the probability of impact as low as 0.7%, but that number has gradually increased — first to 1.3%, then 1.8%, and now, the latest updates suggest a 3.1% chance of direct impact.
Why is This Concerning?
While this asteroid is not large enough to destroy the entire planet, it has enough force to obliterate a large city — hence being dubbed a “City Killer”. Cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Dhaka, and other major urban areas in South Asia are reportedly at higher risk zones based on the current trajectory.
To put it in perspective, this would be the first time in modern history that an asteroid over 30 meters in size has had a probability greater than 1% of striking Earth. That’s why NASA and other international space agencies are treating this as a rare and serious event.
NASA and Global Response
NASA officials have now stated that “this task cannot be left to the last minute.” They are actively exploring options to destroy or deflect the asteroid. China, too, has started building its own planetary defense force, and the U.S. is already deep into strategizing defense mechanisms.
Interestingly, the latest tweet from NASA at 5:30 AM today clarified that after updated observations, the probability of YR4 hitting Earth has now been revised to 1.5%, but this figure could still increase or decrease based on further data.
Meanwhile, the European Space Agency (ESA) continues to estimate a nearly 3% chance of impact, keeping the world on high alert.
Why India Needs to Step Up
The recent calculations suggest that South Asian cities, particularly in India and Bangladesh, lie within the potential risk zones. In contrast, China and the U.S. are largely outside the danger area.
This makes it essential for India to consider participating in global asteroid defense initiatives — potentially joining hands with NASA or even developing its own asteroid-tracking and defense programs. As of now, most of the critical data comes from the U.S., Europe, and soon from China. India’s absence from this space could be risky.
The Bigger Picture: Data Is the New Oil — and Soil
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In Conclusion: What Should India Do About Asteroid YR4?
This asteroid is moving at a terrifying speed of 1649 mph and could damage satellites, the International Space Station, or worse — impact Earth. With NASA and China already active, India must now decide:
- Should India collaborate with the U.S. to destroy the asteroid early?
- Or should India launch its own planetary defense initiative and gather its own data?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. This could be a turning point in space defense history and possibly the beginning of India taking a stronger role in planetary protection..