Scientists warn there’s 1 in 50 chance of Asteroid 2024 YR4 striking Earth | BBC News

The chances that an asteroid spotted last year by space scientists could strike Earth in around 8 years time have increased slightly.

Asteroid 2024 YR4 is estimated to be between 40 and 90 meters wide and following a course that will bring it close to Earth in December 2032.
 
Astronomers now estimate that the chance of it striking our planet is 2% - or 1 in 50 - up very slightly from their previous predictions.

In the coming years scientists will be able to identify the probability of a collision with far more accuracy and are likely to to rule it out.

If the space rock is on a direct course for Earth a mission could be mounted to deflect it from its current course.

Jane Hill presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Rebecca Morelle.