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NASA Raises Chance for Asteroid to Hit the Moon
MOON, JUN 16 – Asteroid 2024 YR4 has a 4.3% chance to hit the Moon in 2032, potentially creating a 1 km crater and ejecting debris that could increase satellite collision risks by years in days.
- Astronomers identified the space object 2024 YR4 at the end of December 2024 and concluded it does not threaten Earth, although it could potentially collide with the Moon in 2032.
- Initial concern arose from early predictions showing a 3.8 percent chance of lunar impact, which recent observations using JWST raised to 4.3 percent.
- Scientists refined 2024 YR4's orbit by 20 percent, estimating the asteroid will create a roughly 1 km crater on the Moon if it hits on December 22, 2032.
- Researchers caution that debris ranging from 0.1 to 10 mm produced by the impact could pose a long-term hazard to satellites orbiting close to Earth, although the event would have no significant effect on the Moon’s trajectory.
- The asteroid will pass close to Earth in 2028, allowing further observation to update lunar impact probabilities and improve planetary defense measures.
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Total News Sources25
Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center10Last UpdatedBias Distribution83% Center
Bias Distribution
- 83% of the sources are Center
83% Center
L 17%
C 83%
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