Asteroid 2024 YR4

Asteroid 2024 YR4 is a designation for a specific near-Earth asteroid that is identified by its orbital characteristics and the date it was discovered. In the naming convention, the '2024' refers to the year of its discovery, while 'YR4' provides a unique alphanumeric identifier indicating the specific circumstances of its identification, such as the time of year and the sequential discovery order within that year. Asteroids like 2024 YR4 are part of a larger population of small celestial bodies that orbit the sun, primarily found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, but some, like this one, may have orbits that bring them close to Earth. Such objects are of interest for scientific study and potential planetary protection, as their paths can lead to interactions with our planet.