NASA specialists who joined the international arXiv scientific community have proposed nuclear strike methods to destroy the 2024 YR4 asteroid. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
Information about this was provided on the team's official website. Scientists are considering two main options: the first is to change the asteroid's orbit, and the second is to fragment it using a nuclear weapon.
According to experts, a one-megaton nuclear weapon will be sufficient to accomplish this task. The final decision is expected to be made by the end of 2028, when the asteroid approaches Earth.
2024 YR4 was discovered in December and has an approximate diameter of 60 meters. Its shape resembles a hockey puck and it rotates around its axis every 20 minutes.
Analyses suggest that the asteroid separated from the main belt between Mars and Jupiter and is rich in silicates. Its probability of colliding with Earth is estimated at 0.28%, while the chance of hitting the Moon is 4%.
Experts warn that if the asteroid collides with Earth, the explosion will be 2000 times more powerful than the nuclear strike on Hiroshima. If it hits the Moon, satellites, telescopes, and space stations could be damaged, and massive dust layers may form.
This situation could negatively affect space technologies.
