Asteroid 2024 YR4: Earth’s Close Encounter in 2032 Coffee Mug

Asteroid 2024 YR4, a near-Earth object discovered in December 2024, has captured global attention with its 1–2.3% chance of impacting Earth on December 22, 2032137. Estimated to be 40–90 metres (130–300 feet) in diameter—comparable to the Tunguska event asteroid—this "city killer" could release energy equivalent to 8 megatons of TNT if it strikes79. Rated Level 3 on the Torino Scale has prompted coordinated tracking by NASA, ESA, and global observatories16. While current data suggests a 99% chance of a safe passage, astronomers are refining its orbit using telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope and preparing for its 2028 flyby, which will clarify its trajectory45. This postcard highlights humanity’s planetary defence efforts and the dynamic dance between Earth and cosmic visitors. 50 Keywords: near-Earth asteroid, 2024 YR4, planetary defence, Torino Scale 3, impact probability, NASA CNEOS, ESA NEOCC, ATLAS Chile, asteroid tracking, 2032 impact risk, Tunguska-sized asteroid, city killer, James Webb observations, space threats, Apollo asteroid, orbital uncertainty, Sentry risk list, IAWN notification, SMPAG coordination, DART mission, Yarkovsky effect, infrared astronomy, asteroid composition, risk corridor, December 22, 2032, close approach, asteroid deflection, asteroid size estimates, 2028 flyby, Minor Planet Centre, asteroid discovery, space observatories, asteroid rotation period, 19.5-minute spin, S-type asteroid, L-type asteroid, orbital eccentricity, Earth-Moon system, asteroid precovery, Hubble tracking, NEO Surveyor, asteroid light curve, asteroid ephemerides, celestial coordinates, asteroid magnitude, 8 megatons TNT, localised destruction, planetary defence protocols, asteroid risk mitigation, cosmic preparedness 50 Hashtags: #Asteroid2024YR4, #PlanetaryDefense, #TorinoScale3, #CityKillerAsteroid, #NASA, #ESA, #NearEarthObject, #SpaceSafety, #AsteroidTracking, #ImpactRisk2032, #Astronomy, #SpaceThreats, #JamesWebbTelescope, #DARTMission, #AsteroidDeflection, #ATLASChile, #SentryRiskList, #SpaceScience, #CosmicCloseCall, #AsteroidFlyby, #2032Impact, #TunguskaEvent, #SpaceObservations, #OrbitalUncertainty, #InfraredAstronomy, #AsteroidComposition, #SpaceAgencies, #CelestialDanger, #AsteroidDiscovery, #MinorPlanetCenter, #SpaceTech, #AsteroidRotation, #ApolloAsteroid, #YarkovskyEffect, #SpaceNews, #GlobalDefense, #RiskCorridor, #AsteroidSize, #2028Flyby, #NEOCC, #IAWN, #SMPAG, #SpacePreparedness, #AsteroidResearch, #AstroPhysics, #SpaceExploration, #CosmicDance, #AsteroidAwareness, #NASAJPL, #SpaceSafetyOffice, #AstronomyLovers