NASA Confirms Asteroid 2024 YR4 Won’t Hit Earth, But What About the Moon?
Hey everyone, let’s talk about space—specifically, an asteroid that made quite a buzz recently! We’re talking about asteroid 2024 YR4, a near-Earth object that had some people worried for a while. But here’s the latest update: NASA has ruled out any chance of this asteroid hitting Earth in 2032. So, breathe easy!
When it was first discovered in December 2024, initial calculations suggested a slight possibility—about 3%—that it could impact our planet. But after months of observation, particularly with NASA’s powerful James Webb Space Telescope, scientists have now refined their data. The asteroid is estimated to be between 174 and 220 feet (53–67 meters) in size—roughly the height of a 10-story building!
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So, if it’s not a danger to Earth, what about the Moon? Well, that’s where things get interesting. The new calculations have slightly increased the asteroid’s chances of impacting the Moon in 2032, from 1.7% to 3.8%. That’s still a very low probability—96.2% chance it will completely miss. Even in the unlikely event that it does hit, the impact wouldn’t change the Moon’s orbit or have any serious consequences for us on Earth.
After mid-April, 2024 YR4 will move too far away for ground-based telescopes to track, but the James Webb Space Telescope will take another look later in April or early May. These observations aren’t just about this one asteroid—they help scientists refine their understanding of space rocks in general. Knowing how these objects move and behave gives us better tools for planetary defense in the future.
So, to sum it up: No, asteroid 2024 YR4 isn’t a threat to Earth. The Moon? Very unlikely. But this is yet another reminder of why space monitoring is so important. NASA and astronomers worldwide are keeping an eye on the skies, ensuring we’re prepared for any future encounters with near-Earth objects. Stay curious, and keep looking up!
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