‘City-killing’ asteroid chance of hitting Earth dips to 0.001%: ESA

• The chances of a “city-killing” asteroid striking Earth have dipped to 0.001%, according to the European Space Agency on Tuesday, Feb. 25. The estimate is down from the highest probability ever recorded by NASA at more than 3% on Feb. 18.
• Space agencies around the globe were preparing for a worst-case scenario of the asteroid known as YR4 hitting Earth in 2032.
• NASA and the European Space Agency have been tracking the asteroid since it was first detected last year, and the chances of it hitting Earth were increasing.

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Earthlings can breathe easier, the chances of a “city-killing” asteroid striking Earth have dipped to 0.001%, according to the European Space Agency on Tuesday, Feb. 25. That number is down from the highest probability ever recorded by NASA at more than 3% on Feb. 18.

Why were space agencies concerned?

Space agencies around the globe were preparing for a worst-case scenario of the asteroid known as YR4. Scientists said the asteroid had a chance of hitting Earth in 2032.

NASA and the European Space Agency have been tracking the asteroid since it was detected in 2024. The chances of it hitting Earth were increasing, until Tuesday.

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What is the European Space Agency saying now?

The ESA said it is now extremely likely the space object anywhere from 130 feet to 300 feet wide will simply zoom past Earth.

If another asteroid hurdles toward Earth, however, space agencies are prepared.

NASA has successfully redirected an asteroid and Beijing is recruiting for a “planetary defense” unit.

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How will asteroid detection change in the future?

The head of the ESA’s Planetary Defense Office also notes the agency has several new telescopes coming that will help detect asteroids more quickly in the near future and plans to employ Europe’s planned warning system once it is deployed.