US EditionAsteroid May Hit Satellites And Cause Spectacular Shooting Stars — What To Know
MOON, JUN 23 – Asteroid 2024 YR4 has a 4.3% chance of hitting the Moon in 2032, potentially creating a 1-km crater and endangering thousands of satellites with debris, scientists say.
- Asteroid 2024 YR4, discovered in late December 2024, poses a 4.3% probability of impacting the Moon around December 22, 2032, prompting ongoing observation due to the potential scientific insights and risks involved.
- Initial Earth impact fears were ruled out after coordinated observations, but the rising Moon impact risk has prompted plans to possibly deflect YR4 in 2028.
- If YR4 impacts the lunar surface, it is expected to create a crater approximately one kilometer wide, blasting as much as 100 million kg of moon material into space; this debris could endanger satellites and generate a meteor shower visible from Earth.
- Lead author Paul Wiegert said the impact would equal a large nuclear explosion and produce a "spectacular" meteor shower visible on Earth, though Earth's atmosphere would shield surface rocks.
- The event offers a rare chance to test planetary defense while potentially endangering satellites, urging continued monitoring and preparations for possible mitigation actions.
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'City-Killer' Asteroid Could Hit The Moon, Sending 'Bullet-Like' Meteors Careening Towards Earth
meteor-shower Earlier this year, NASA issued a statement about a “city-killer” asteroid (2024 YR4) that they said had a 1.2% chance of slamming into Earth on Dec. 22, 2032. That percentage has been revised up and down multiple times since then, but now scientists believe it has the highest chance of actually colliding with the Moon instead: 4.3%. While it is certainly good news that asteroid 2024 YR4, which is estimated to be about 131 to 295 fe…
The asteroid 2024 YR4 is no danger to the Earth - but the moon could get a hit in 2032. Experts assume that this would be visible from Earth. In good weather a global mega-event. But what consequences would the impact have for the Earth's satellite?
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When asteroids enter the atmosphere, they can release or beat enormous forces. They may have brought the building blocks for life to Earth.
'City killer' asteroid 2024 YR4 could shower Earth with 'bullet-like' meteors if it hits the moon in 2032
There is currently a 4.3% chance that the giant space rock 2024 YR4 will hit the moon in seven years. If this does happen, debris from the nuclear bomb-like impact could trigger a "spectacular" meteor shower that will endanger Earth-orbiting satellites.
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