YR4 could strike Earth in 2032. Its size ranges from 40 to 90 meters. The asteroid could cause significant damage, especially to populated areas. The impact probability has decreased recently. NASA and the European Space Agency are monitoring it closely.

The threat posed by the space rock, estimated to be between 40 and 90 metres in diameter, is the highest ever recorded for an object of its size.

Even in the increasingly unlikely event of an impact from YR4, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest appear to be safe from impact. Computer models showed areas of South America, Africa and southeast Asia would have the highest risk in the event of an impact, based on what astronomers know about the asteroid’s orbit.