Could an Asteroid Really Hit Earth? Understanding the Threat Asteroids have long fascinated and terrified humanity, symbolizing both the mystery of space and the potential hazards lurking beyond our atmosphere. One such space rock, 2024 YR4, has recently escalated concerns among astronomers as it reaches unprecedented odds of collision with Earth. Although the asteroid still has a 97% chance of missing our planet in 2032, the current impact probability stands at 3.1%, marking it as the highest-risk large asteroid recorded to date.