This week the odds of Asteroid 2024 YR hitting earth in seven years time jumped from 1.3 percent to 2.3 percent, which is a one in 43 chance.
That's according to Nasa's Center for Near Earth Object Studies.
The space rock is roughly 90 metres in width which would make it about the same size as the object which hit earth in 1908 flattening a vast expanse of Siberia
However astronomers are urging us not to panic, with the likelihood of 2024 YR4 ever striking earth dropping to virtually zero once we have more data on its speed and trajectory.
To find out more Mark Leishman speaks to astronomer and former superintendent of the Mt John Observatory in Canterbury Alan Gilmore.
Photo: 123rf
