Recently, the topic of an asteroid numbered “2024 YR4” “may hit the Earth in 8 years” has caused heated discussions on the Internet.

Chinese astronomical experts say that the current impact probability is only an estimate, and that it is more important to carry out continuous observations and orbital calculations at the moment. Even if there is a clear threat to humanity in the future, there are many defense strategies, and China has begun to deploy a “near-Earth asteroid defense system”, and scientists around the world are collaborating on “planetary defense”.
Previously reported
The “2024 YR4” was first spotted on December 27, 2024. The asteroid is estimated to be 40 to 90 meters in diameter, about the size of a building.
NASA astronomers have been using telescopes to track the asteroid since early January 2025. Currently, the asteroid is more than 48 million kilometers away from Earth. While the likelihood of an impact is slim, astronomers are tracking closely to find more details.
According to the report, the size of “2024 YR4” is far from the size of the planet’s “killer level” asteroid. “Planet killer” asteroids are space rocks that are 1 kilometer or larger in diameter and could have devastating effects on life. It is estimated that the asteroid that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs was about 10 kilometers in diameter.