Concerns over the 2024 YR4 asteroid hitting Earth? SA astronomer says chances are small 'but not zero'

CapeTalk's Clarence Ford interviews Nicolas Erasmus, Instrumentation Scientist and Astronomer at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO).

Listen below:

China has begun recruiting for a 'planetary defence force' after risk assessments identified a potential asteroid threat to Earth in 2032.

RELATED: China launches recruitment for 'planetary defence force' amid 2032 asteroid threat

This recruitment drive comes in response to growing concerns over the 2024 YR4 asteroid, which, while still posing a low risk, has been increasingly highlighted by both European and U.S. space agencies as a potential threat in the coming years.

"The chance is very, very small, extremely, extremely small, but it's not zero."

- Nicolas Erasmus, Instrumentation Scientist and Astronomer – South African Astronomical Observatory

Erasmus explains that the asteroid's orbit is highly uncertain, so scientists are still unsure whether it will collide with Earth.

He clarifies that even if it does impact, the asteroid’s size is most likely not large enough to cause a global catastrophe like the one that wiped out the dinosaurs.

Erasmus emphasises the importance of determining the asteroid’s size in the coming months, as this will be crucial in assessing the potential extent of any damage.

"Even if a small asteroid with a very small chance did hit us, it would probably just cause regional damage."

- Nicolas Erasmus, Instrumentation Scientist and Astronomer – South African Astronomical Observatory  

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.