Asteroid may strike Odisha in 2032! NASA warns of potential impact

Sky-gazers worldwide have been alerted as a huge asteroid, named as 2024 YR4, is projected to possibly collide with earth in the year 2032. This event is drawing particular attention in India, as initial projections suggest its path could potentially affect seven Indian states including Odisha.

NASA warning

As per the prediction by the American space research institute NASA, the states in India that may face impacts are Odisha, Maharashtra, Northern Telangana, Southern Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.

Cities including Mumbai and Kolkata could be at risk, making this a significant point of concern for local authorities and citizens alike. The effect on major cities could be devastating, reminiscent of a natural cataclysm many times more destructive than the Hiroshima atomic bomb.

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Asteroid size and speed

The 2024 YR4 asteroid is estimated to be between 130 and 300 feet in diameter. If it enters earth’s atmosphere, it could travel at a velocity of up to 65,000 kilometres per hour. Such a high-speed entry would amount to an explosive impact.

Importance of monitoring

Despite the current improbability, estimated at 1.5%, of an actual collision, international space agencies, especially NASA with its advanced James Webb Space Telescope, are closely monitoring the asteroid’s trajectory. The asteroid belt located between Mars and Jupiter consists of numerous celestial bodies, many of which burn out upon entry into the earth’s atmosphere as meteor showers. 

Nonetheless, larger bodies like 2024 YR4 have the potential to reach the earth’s surface, causing significant impact depending on various conditions such as size, speed, and geography.

Ongoing observation

2024 YR4 was first identified on December 27, 2023. Experts are scrutinising its path closely due to its possible trajectory over densely populated and strategically important regions of India.

“There is only 1 to1.5 percent probability that the asteroid may collide with the earth. If it collides with the earth, it is most likely to fall on sea or in some parts of America, Africa or India. However, the chances are slim as the scientists will be able to fully track its movement before 2032. If any chances of a collision on earth arise, the scientists will definitely take steps to destroy it in space or change its direction,” said space scientist Shubhendu Patnaik.