Astronomers want to blow up this asteroid before it likely strikes Moon
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The ‘city killer’ asteroid heading for the moon
- Astronomers are considering a mission to blow up the asteroid 2024 YR4 to prevent potential damage to Earth-orbiting satellites.
- The 65-metre near-Earth space rock has a 4 per cent chance of impacting the Moon in December 2032, potentially creating a 1km crater.
- A lunar impact could generate a massive debris cloud, exposing Earth's satellites to meteorites for years.
- Scientists, including those from Nasa, propose a 'kinetic disruption mission' involving breaking the asteroid apart, with nuclear explosive devices being seriously considered.
- The proposed mission could involve two 100-kiloton nuclear devices and would require five to seven years of development, with a launch window between late 2029 and late 2031.