Over 1 chance asteroid may hit Earth in 2032, says space agencybr br An asteroid that has a small chance of hitting the Earth in 2032 is being closely monitored by the European Space Agency (ESA), according to its Planetary Defense Office. Called 'Asteroid 2024 YR4,' it has an almost 99 percent chance of safely passing Earth on Dec. 22, 2032, but a possible impact cannot yet be entirely ruled out. It was first recognized as threat in December 2024 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope in Río Hurtado, Chile. It is now moving away from Earth but will return in 2028.