The striking new images of asteroid YR4 2024 were captured by a space telescope in Chile on February 7, and show it in the most detail yet.
The chance of the space rock smashing into Earth when it loops around in 7 years' time is estimated at a 1-in-48 chance - or just over two per cent.
Bryce said that, despite the chance of danger, he finds YR4 "to be extremely exciting" due to "the scientific potential of studying such a small asteroid in high detail".
He said the task was difficult because the asteroid was relatively faint - meaning it could only be picked up using a very large telescope.
He said: "There is the possibility this would eject some material back out that could hit the Earth, but I highly doubt it would cause any major threat.
