News And Events

Dr. Ala’a Azzam Clarifies the Facts About Asteroid 2024 YR4 on Roya TV

On February 25, 2025, Dr. Ala’a Azzam, professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Jordan, appeared on the morning show “Donya Ya Donya” broadcast by Roya TV, to discuss the widespread reports about the asteroid 2024 YR4, which sparked public concern during February following initial claims of a potential collision with Earth.

During the interview, Dr. Azzam explained that early calculations had estimated a 3.1% chance of the asteroid colliding with Earth in December 2032, temporarily ranking it among the most hazardous known near-Earth objects. However, subsequent observations—particularly from NASA and the European Southern Observatory (ESO)—refined the asteroid’s orbital data and confirmed that there is no risk of impact.

Dr. Azzam also highlighted the importance of monitoring near-Earth objects as part of planetary defense efforts, emphasizing the need for accurate scientific communication and the public’s reliance on credible sources when interpreting astronomical news.