Scientists received an image of a large asteroid, which can soon fall to the ground

17 February 2025, 11:14 | Technologies
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At the end of January, one of the main astronomical news was a message that the asteroid 2024 YR4, the size of which is estimated at 55 meters, may encounter the ground at the end of 2032. To date, the probability that it will fall on our planet is only 2.3%. Nevertheless, scientists continue to carefully monitor the flight of this space stone, which is now flying towards the earth at a speed of almost 50,000 km/h. Recently, astronomers from NASA received an image of asteroid 2024 YR4, although in the picture it does not look like it could be expected, writes Space.

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Astronomers from NASA want to learn more about the 2024 YR4 asteroid, which is a cosmic stone that is dangerous for our planet, despite the fact that the chances of a collision with land are small. According to scientists, if this stone still crashes into the ground, then it will not cause a catastrophe of a planetary scale, but can destroy a large metropolis, given its potential size.

Astronomers received a picture of asteroid 2024 YR4, where it looks like a stain of light, with the help of a telescope of the Dzhemini South observatory, located at an altitude of 2700 meters at the top of Mount Serro-pachen in Chile. Когда была сделана фотография астероид находился на расстоянии примерно 60 млн км от Земли и 209 млн км от Солнца. According to scientists, it was difficult to get a photograph of an asteroid, because it did not reflect little sunlight and is far from us. The very bright light of the moon also interfered with observations.

Asteroid 2024 YT4 was first discovered at the end of December 2024 and so far remains one of the most dangerous space objects for the Earth. At the same time, astronomers believe that the probability of a collision of asteroid 2024 YT4 with the Earth in the coming years decrease when the path of its flight will be more accurately studied.

As Focus already wrote, recently astronomers suggested that instead of falling to the ground, this cosmic stone could crash into the moon. If this happens, then perhaps the lunar stones thrown out as a result of the blow will even be able to reach the ground.

Scientists say that the asteroid 2024 YR4 is best visible from the Earth in 2028, when it will be possible to make more accurate forecasts regarding whether it will fall to Earth or not in 2032.

In March, astronomers intend to study this space stone using a powerful Webb telescope, which is located at a distance of 1.5 million km from the ground.

As Focus already wrote, the private landing module reached the moon and took amazing pictures of its surface. Blue Ghost landing module should land on the Earth's satellite on March 2. If the landing is successful, then it will definitely go down in history.

Focus also wrote that the astronomers received the most detailed image of the famous tamus of Tarantula, in which the largest formation of new stars in the nearest space occurs.

Based on materials: space.com



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