Asteroid 2024 YR4 was first seen by an automated telescope in Chile in late December.

The asteroid has a 1.3% chance of smashing into Earth on 22 December 2032, or conversely, a 99% chance of passing Earth without incident.

“Recently-discovered asteroid 2024 YR4 may make a very close approach to Earth in eight years,” said Tony Dunn, an amateur astronomer who shared a visualisation of the asteroid on X.

“It is thought to be 40-100 meters wide. Uncertainty is still high and more observations are needed to confirm this.”

Recently-discovered #asteroid 2024 YR4 may make a very close approach to Earth in 8 years. It is thought to be 40-100 meters wide. Uncertainty is still high and more and more observations are needed confirm this. pic.twitter.com/u8PvZg3jaw

— Tony Dunn (@tony873004) January 28, 2025

Colin Snodgrass, a professor of planetary astronomy at the University of Edinburgh, told The Guardian that this asteroid will almost likely “pass by harmlessly.”

“It just deserves a little more attention with telescopes until we can confirm that. The longer we follow its orbit, the more accurate our future predictions of its trajectory become.”

The asteroid ranks three on the Torino Impact Hazard Scale, which means astronomers will have to pay close attention because there is a 1% or greater chance of collision in the next decade that would inflict “localised destruction.”

There has only been one asteroid to receive a higher rating. Apophis made headlines in 2004, and it ranked a four on the scale.

It was later downgraded as observations showed that it posed no threat for at least a century.