Scientists may need to use nuclear weapons to defend earth from asteroid

It’s got the innocuous name 2024 YR4, but this large piece of rock could cause “severe damage” if it hits a major town or city.

Scientists are warning that the large asteroid could collide with the earth on 22 December 2032.

The odds of a serious strike are 1/67, but in astronomy terms, that is significant.

Astronomer David Whitehouse told Sky News authorities may need to take measures to deflect the rock if it looks like a collision is likely.

Full story: https://news.sky.com/story/scientists-monitoring-football-pitch-sized-asteroid-that-could-hit-earth-in-the-future-13299214

#asteroidimpact #sciencefiction

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel for more videos: http://www.youtube.com/skynews
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/skynews
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skynews
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skynews
Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@skynews

For more content go to http://news.sky.com and download our apps: Apple https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/sky-news/id316391924?mt=8 Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bskyb.skynews.android&hl=en_GB

Sky News Daily podcast is available for free here: https://podfollow.com/skynewsdaily/

Sky News videos are now available in Spanish here/Los video de Sky News están disponibles en español aquí: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzG5BnqHO8oNlrPDW9CYJog

To enquire about licensing Sky News content, you can find more information here: https://news.sky.com/info/library-sales