Significant Decrease in the Probability of Asteroid WY2024 Colliding with Earth

Astronomers say the likelihood of an asteroid, which is set to pass near Earth in 2032, colliding with the planet has significantly decreased and is no longer a cause for concern. Previous estimates indicated about a three percent chance that this asteroid, named 'WY2024', would collide with Earth. This celestial object was previously observed in December 2024 by a telescope in Chile. A week ago, this asteroid recorded the highest percentage chance of collision for an observed object with Earth, with NASA announcing a 3.1 percent chance that it could collide on December 23, 1411. However, as scientists had previously anticipated, new observations from telescopes around the world gradually reduced the likelihood of a direct collision with Earth. The European Space Agency states that the probability of WY2024 colliding with Earth has now dropped to 0.001 percent, adding that the threat level on the Torino scale has reached zero. The Torino scale, also known as the 'Close Encounter Hazard Assessment' scale, is a ranking system used to measure the potential risk of asteroids or comets colliding with Earth. This scale ranges from zero to ten, with zero meaning no risk of collision or negligible risk, and ten indicating an imminent collision that could pose a serious threat to life on Earth. Despite the significant reduction in risk, the James Webb Space Telescope is set to continue observing the WY2024 asteroid in the coming months. Scientists say that even if this asteroid were heading directly towards Earth, we would be able to protect ourselves. Previously, in 2022, NASA's DART mission, which stands for 'Double Asteroid Redirection Test', successfully altered the trajectory of a small asteroid as a test. Richard Moissel, head of the planetary defense office at the European Space Agency, told AFP that monitoring this asteroid and then ruling out a direct collision with Earth was 'a very exciting and educational exercise'. Moissel stated that several new telescopes, such as 'Vera Rubin' and 'FlyEye', which are on the verge of becoming operational, will allow astronomers to detect asteroids more quickly. Paul Chodas, director of NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), told National Public Radio that most large celestial objects that pose a potential collision risk with Earth have been identified. However, many smaller objects remain unidentified. The United States Congress had asked NASA in 2005 to identify 90 percent of all near-Earth objects larger than 140 meters by 2020. Chodas states that his center at NASA has now identified 45 percent of these objects. NASA plans to launch an infrared space telescope by 2027 to hunt for near-Earth celestial bodies. This telescope could identify more asteroids than have been recorded so far.