The asteroid 2024 YR4 could impact South America: the three countries at risk

NASA and ESA are closely monitoring the asteroid 2024 YR4, which could impact Earth in 2032. Three South American countries are in the potential impact zone, so scientists are evaluating strategies to divert its trajectory and minimize risks.

Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador are in the potential impact zone. Although initial calculations indicate that the probability is low, the scientific community is closely following its trajectory.

How does NASA plan to divert the asteroid?

The James Webb Space Telescope will be used to obtain more precise data on the asteroid's size, composition, and trajectory. If future observations confirm a high risk of impact, mitigation strategies will be applied.

The 3 strategies of NASA and ESA

• Kinetic impactor: send a spacecraft to collide with the asteroid and change its course.
• Gravitational deflection: use the attraction of a nearby spacecraft to alter its trajectory.
• Nuclear detonation: detonate a nuclear device near the asteroid to divert it. This option is controversial due to international treaties and the unpredictability of the outcome.

The impact could devastate entire cities

If asteroid 2024 YR4 collides with Earth, it wouldn't cause a mass extinction, but it would cause significant destruction. Its energy is estimated to be equivalent to thousands of megatons of explosives, devastating kilometers around.

Contingency plans in South America

The space agencies urge the governments of Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador to prepare for a possible impact. Recommendations include:

• Early warning systems to notify the population in advance.
• Evacuation plans to move citizens out of the danger zone.

Meanwhile, experts continue to monitor the asteroid and adjust their predictions. Science and technology play a key role in preventing a global disaster.