Asteroid 2024 YR4
Asteroid Day is celebrated on 30 June (Senryu)
Fire tears the sky
Stone breath from the silent void
Earth holds its last breath
~~~
Author’s Notes:
Asteroid 2024 YR4 was first detected on 27 December, 2024 by the ATLAS-CHL survey in Chile. Its size is approximately 40 to 90 metres in diametre. Early calculations suggested a 3.1% chance of impacting Earth on 22 December, 2032, marking it as one of the highest-risk asteroids ever identified. However, subseqent observations have effectively ruled out the possibility of a 2032 impact, deducing the probability to near zero.
Both NASA and ESA have removed Asteroid 2024 YR4 from the Earth-impact risk lists, and it’s currently rated Level 0 on the Torino Scale. The focus has now shifted to the Moon. The chance of a lunar impact on 22 December, 2032 has increased to 4.3%, up from 3.8%, based on James Webb and ground observatories.
If the asteroid hits the Moon, it wouldn’t significantly affect its orbit, but would be a rare and spectacular event visible from Earth. Of course, there could could be future changes since surrently the observations are hold due to the asteroid now being behind the Sun and won’t be visible from Earth until 2028. However, James Webb may re-observe it, helping refine its trajectory.
~~~
This Senryu is for Mikeydred unofficial June challenge.
About the Creator
Susan Fourtané
Susan Fourtané is a Science and Technology Journalist, a professional writer with over 18 years experience writing for global media and industry publications. She's a member of the ABSW, WFSJ, Society of Authors, and London Press Club.
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Comments (10)
Well, this is very informative, Susan. Nicely done
Awesome senryu, Susan. There was quite a bit of news around about this asteroid and people fearing it would hit Earth. Not sure if would be cool or worrying if it hit the moon instead. Regardless, knowing my luck, the asteroid will hit me no matter where I am.
That's a great Senryu and I am obsessed with our solar system always reading about it and studying things about it.
That was fascinating. Well done!
I remember I saw a part of Neil De Grass Tyson’s lecture about the potential impact of this asteroid on the Earth when it was just discovered. Tyson used colorful metaphors such as self-escalating tsunamis and nuclear explosions that impressed everyone. And then later he was like, “Ah, the better calculated trajectory as it moves closer shows it won’t hit the Earth after all!” It gave me comfort. Thanks for this educational piece of poetry, Susan.
Well written.Hey I am new here please support me.
I hope I can keep this in mind until 2028 because I definitely want to see this. Thank you for writing about this, I wouldn't know this asteroid exists.
Ah man, I was so hoping that it would hit earth, lol. Loved your Senryu!
Asteroids. The menace that the universe sends out to remind us that we are just a very smallness in a vastness unknown. Made me thoughtful, Susan.
That is a great take on the subject, and thank you for joining in. Thank you for all the interesting additional information.