NASA is using the Webb telescope to monitor asteroid 2024 YR4, which has a 2.1% chance of impacting Earth on December 22, 2032.

Discovered in December 2024, its impact probability has fluctuated, and more observations are needed.

Measuring 130-300 feet wide, it could release energy comparable to the 1908 Tunguska blast.

Webb will refine estimates before the asteroid becomes too faint to track from Earth until 2028, Gizmodo has reported.

While past asteroids have dropped off NASA’s risk list with new data, 2024 YR4 remains the only one currently ranked a 3 on the Torino Impact Hazard Scale.

Written by B.C. Begley