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Asteroid 2024 YR4 was first identified in December 2024, and its characteristics and path have begun to be mapped. With limited opportunities for observation, astronomers are keenly aware of the necessity to acquire detailed measurements in the immediate future. Final observations will be crucial as the asteroid approaches its perihelion - the closest point to the Earth in its orbit, slated for 2028.
The significance of this upcoming encounter lies in the data it will provide, helping astronomers determine whether 2024 YR4 poses a real threat to our planet.