NASA Reveals Increased Chance of Asteroid Impact on the Moon
A large asteroid, initially thought to pose a minimal risk to Earth, now has a slightly elevated probability of colliding with the Moon, according to NASA.
Asteroid 2024 YR4 was first identified with a very low chance of impacting Earth in 2032. However, the US space agency has recently updated this likelihood, reducing it to just 0.004%.
On the other hand, the possibility of the asteroid hitting the Moon has nearly doubled, rising from 1.7% to 3.8%. NASA’s recalculated estimates are based on observations made using various telescopes, including the advanced James Webb Space Telescope.
Despite the increased risk of a lunar impact, NASA assures that such an event would not alter the Moon’s orbit.
Discovered in December through telescope observations in the Chilean desert, asteroid YR4 presents an intriguing opportunity for scientists. Although a lunar impact remains highly unlikely, it could provide a rare chance to observe a real collision and analyze the Moon’s response.
Professor Mark Burchell, a Space Science expert at the University of Kent, described a lunar impact as “a great experiment and a perfect opportunity” for research.
In the meantime, the James Webb Space Telescope is expected to conduct another observation of the asteroid next month to gather further data.
