Prof Brian Cox Issues Warning As Asteroid’s Chances of Hitting Earth Double
The asteroid has triggered a global planetary defence response for the first time ever.
‘If the probability remains this high then we will have to make a decision.’
Professor Brian Cox has warned humanity could “have to make a decision” regarding an asteroid that could hit Earth in 2032.
Earlier this year, asteroid ‘2024 YR4’ was given a 1.3% chance of hitting Earth after it was spotted by a telescope in Chile last December.
On Friday though, NASA doubled the probability of the asteroid hitting Earth, meaning it now has a 2.3% chance of impact.
The date of impact would be December 22, 2032.
In a post on X, NASA Asteroid Watch said: “While still an extremely low possibility, asteroid 2024 YR4’s impact probability with Earth has increased from about 1% to a 2.3% chance on Dec. 22, 2032. As we observe the asteroid more, the impact probability will become better known.”
Now, Professor Brian Cox has suggested the world may soon have to “make a decision” in regards to the asteroid and whether a “deflection mission” is prepared should the likelihood of impact grow.
In a post on X, the physicist wrote: “Interesting situation – if the probability remains this high then we will have to make a decision on preparing a deflection mission – which would be a good investment even if (as is most likely) we don’t need to use it this time.
“It’s as if the Universe has decided to do an experiment to see if Planet Earth is still capable of taking rational decisions!”
The asteroid has already prompted a global planetary defence response at the European Space Agency (ESA) for the first time in its history, and sits at the top of the ESA’s and NASA’s impact risk list.
NASA estimates 2024 YR4 has a diameter of 130-300 feet.
As observations of the asteroid continue, it is possible that it will be ruled out as an impact hazard, as often happens. However, it is also possible its impact probability will continue to rise.
You can read more about asteroid 2024 YR4 on the NASA website here.
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NEXT UP!
In travel news this week: the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, why you shouldn’t gift-wrap methamphetamine, plus infrastructure megaprojects around the world.
Bridge & Tunnel Crowd
There’s been a whole bunch of international infrastructure projects in the news this week, with a strong focus on digging.
Busy beavers and merry moles have been chattering about resurfaced plans for a $20 trillion transatlantic tunnel that could theoretically link London and New York in just an hour using vacuum tube technology. That’s 3,000 miles of burrowing, mind, which Newsweek estimates could take the best part of a millennium if construction proceeded at the same rate as Europe’s Channel Tunnel.
In plans that are actually happening, Norway broke ground last month on its Rogfast project, which promises to be the world’s longest, deepest undersea road tunnel. Elsewhere in northern Europe, the world’s longest road and rail tunnel, the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel between Denmark and Germany, is slated to open in 2029.
Southern Europe isn’t shy of a project or two, either. Construction of a new bridge linking Greece and Turkey might be closer to getting underway, the Greek Reporter said Friday.
Over near the western end of Europe, the UK is busy building one of the world’s most expensive railway projects, known as HS2 (High Speed 2), which now costs an almighty $416 million per mile. However, many people think it’s pointless.
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