"Currently, observations of celestial bodies approaching Earth are being conducted as a rapid pace. It is therefore likely that we will see more discoveries of objects like 2024 YR4 that may collide with the Earth."—Yoshikawa Makoto, JAXA Planetary Defense (full quote in image)

"This is the first time that the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) has released a 'Potential Asteroid Impact Notification'."—Iwaki Akihiro, JAXA Planetary Defense (full quote in image)

"After the close approach of asteroid Apophis, there is now a second event (for asteroid 2024 YR4) where we can feel the passing of an asteroid up close."—Higashio Nana, JAXA Planetary Defense (full quote in image)

How can we interpret the probability of impact? Nakamura Shinichi from the JAXA Space Tracking & Communications and Yoshikawa Makoto from JAXA Planetary Defense note that this depends on the situation. Therefore, the “Torino Scale” is used to express risk from asteroid impacts.

"The most frightening aspect about mass evacuations is the potential for mass panic caused by rumours."—Ikenaga Toshinori, RDD (full quote in image)

The impact probability of asteroid 2024 YR4 has dropped from 2.8% to 0.16%. Thanks to new observations, Earth is now at the edge of our shrinking ‘uncertainty window.’ If this trend continues, the risk may soon reach 0%.

x.com/AsteroidWatch/…

Asteroid 2024 YR4 no longer poses a significant impact risk. ESA's latest analysis has reduced the probability of an Earth impact in 2032 to 0.001%. Planetary Defenders continue to keep watch for any other asteroids that may come too close for comfort🛡️🔭 esa.int/Space_Safety/P…

Mars is just ~10 pixels wide in this image, which was taken yesterday by Hera’s Asteroid Framing Camera (labelled 'A' below) from a distance of approximately 7.15 million km.

#HeraMission at 2.1M km, can’t wait for Wednesday. Stay tuned on Thursday, we will have many surprises!

📽️After five months in the darkness between planets, #HeraMission flies past Mars TOMORROW - while imaging the surface and the enigmatic moon Deimos, as a try-out of its instruments before reaching the Didymos binary. This Thursday watch these images being unveiled live!

the emergency TCM-6h slot is cancelled: - Deimos time of closest approach: 2025/03/1212:10:21.2 UTC - Deimos closest approach distance: 295.8 km - Mars time of closest approach:  2025/03/1212:50:47.0 UTC - Mars closest approach distance: 9057.5 km

Especially to mark our Hera mission's moment of closest approach during its Mars flyby, at just 5000 km away at 13:51 CET (12:51 GMT) - here's one we made earlier!

🚀 Our latest study on (469219) Kamo‘oalewa, Earth's quasi-satellite and target of the Tianwen-2 mission! 🔗aanda.org/articles/aa/ab… We imaged Kamo`oalewa from Loiano (Italy) and Calar Alto (Spain) last year, in order to improve its orbit 1/4 🧵

Aegis version 5: Faster, more resilient, and ready for the next generation of asteroid data☄️☄️ neo.ssa.esa.int/-/aegis-versio…

9th Planetary Defense Conference just started ☄️Come to visit the European Space Agency ESA Operations Planetary Defence Office corner tonight during poster session! We put a lot on the table and here is a short summary: 🍝🧵Richard Moissl Juan Luis Cano González

Will asteroid 2024 YR4 hit the Moon? 2024 YR4 made headlines this year when its probability of impacting Earth in 2032 briefly rose as high as 3%. While an Earth impact has now been ruled out, the story continues. The final glimpse of the asteroid as it faded from view left it

Astronomers may have just discovered the third interstellar object passing through the Solar System! ESA’s Planetary Defenders are observing the object, provisionally known as #A11pl3Z, right now using telescopes around the world.

ESA's astronomers are actively tracking 3I/ATLAS, which is now the third confirmed interstellar comet to pass through our Solar System! More info at: esa.int/Space_Safety/P…

What do we know about the newly discovered interstellar comet, A1/ATLAS? This rare visitor from beyond our solar system was discovered this week. It's not a threat to Earth, but it poses a great science opportunity! Learn more: science.nasa.gov/solar-system/c…