Odds of ‘city killer’ asteroid 2024 YR4 striking Moon increase
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Nasa updates probability of asteroid striking Moon in 2032
- Asteroid 2024 YR4, initially considered a potential threat to Earth, now has a higher probability of impacting the Moon on December 22, 2032.
- Observations from Nasa's James Webb Space Telescope have refined the asteroid's orbit, increasing the estimated chance of lunar impact to 4.3 per cent up from 3.8 per cent.
- Nasa has stated that the asteroid poses no significant impact risk to Earth in 2032 or beyond.
- If the asteroid were to strike the Moon, it would be one of the largest impacts in recent history, potentially providing valuable data for future planetary defense strategies.
- Scientists believe the asteroid, likely originating from the main asteroid belt, could offer insights into similar space rocks that might pose a threat to Earth, and further observations are planned for 2025 and 2026.