A CHILLING graphic shows how an asteroid the size of a football pitch is on course to smash into Earth at Christmas time in seven years. Scientists say the enormous space rock is between 40 and

YR4, the asteroid is estimated to be between 40 m and 100 m wide and is projected to come close to Earth in December 2032.

The next close approach of asteroid 2024 YR4 is projected for December 22, 2032, when it may pose a potential danger, with an estimated 1.2% chance of impact.

The asteroid is unlikely to be cause for concern, but its detection has triggered planetary defence response procedures for the first time

Researchers say there’s a 1.3 percent chance that the space rock 2024 YR4 could strike our planet — but not until December 2032.

A n asteroid discovered in 2024 has been placed at level 3 on the Torino impact scale, with a small chance of impact with Earth in 2032.

"Impact probability is still very low, and the most likely outcome will be a close approaching rock that misses us."

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A newly discovered asteroid has a tiny chance of smacking Earth in 2032, space agency officials said Wednesday. Scientists put the odds of a strike at slightly more than 1%.

Astronomers have identified a newly discovered asteroid, 2024 YR4, which has a small but concerning chance of colliding with Earth in seven years. The space rock, estimated to be between 40 and 100 meters wide,

NASA says there's a tiny chance it could collide with Earth, and it's much too soon to know where that impact could be.

Should the asteroid remain on a collision path, it would likely have a velocity of 17.34 km/sec. (10.7 mph/sec.) when first encountering Earth’s atmosphere. The asteroid is now on top of the ESA’s risk list of near-Earth objects, supplanting the 11-24-m-wide 2023VD3 that is due be in Earth’s immediate vicinity in November 2034.