Asteroids frequently traverse the space around Earth, but most slip by without fanfare. Asteroid 2024 YR4, identified in late 2024, was different. Early on, it looked like it might make an unusually close approach to the moon in 2032, even sparking brief talk of a possible collision. That talk is now over: scientists have confirmed the asteroid will not hit the moon.
NASA Eliminates Moon Impact Risk for Asteroid 2024 YR4
Measuring roughly 200 feet across, or about 60 meters, this asteroid drew attention when first detected. Its orbit was initially uncertain, with models suggesting a 4.3% chance of striking the moon. Researchers monitored it closely, hoping more observations would clarify its trajectory.
James Webb Space Telescope Sharpens Orbital Predictions
A key advancement came from the James Webb Space Telescope. Its powerful gaze, free from Earth’s atmospheric interference, provided precise location data in February. Using this information, NASA experts recalculated the asteroid’s path, finding
