Though there is a slight chance it could hit Earth, it is much more likely that this asteroid safely passes by our planet, astronomers say] Sometimes they shoot toward the inner solar system and enter Earth's vicinity, encountering our planet in what's known as a 'fly-by.'.
NASA warns three giant asteroids will skim past Earth TODAY NASA is keeping a close eye on three giant asteroids that are set to make close approaches to Earth today.
That asteroid, called 2024 YR4, is estimated to be nearly 200 feet wide and currently has a more than one percent chance of directly hitting Earth on December 22, 2023, according to NASA.
Though there is a slight chance it could hit Earth, it is much more likely that this asteroid safely passes by our planet, astronomers say.
That's not to say that a large asteroid could never impact our planet though, which is why NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office is developing strategies to protect Earth from an incoming threat.
