THE Asteroid 2024 YR4 It was discovered at the end of 2024 and took over the headlines while having risks to reach our planet in 2032. NASA has already updated its predictions and dismissed a significant risk of impact between the object and the earth but now he can reach another target: the moon .
According to experts from the NASA’s Object Study Center, Asteroid 2024 YR4 has 3.8% chance of reaching our satellite on December 22, 2032, based on James Webb Space Telescope data and land telescope observations collected by the beginning of April.
However, as scientists punctuated, there is still 96.2% chance that the asteroid does not reach the moon.
The latest data also brought more accurate information regarding the size of the asteroid, which is estimated between 53 and 67 meters, the approximate size of a building that has between 10 and 15 floors.
Since February, the chances of an impact between 2024 YR4 and Earth have been estimated at less than 0.002%, an impact of 1 by 59,000, which means there is a chance of 99.9983% that the asteroid is safely through the land in seven years.
Asteroids of this size reach Earth every few thousand years, and often cause significant damage to the affected area, although their impacts are not devastating on a global scale. In 1908, an object about 30 meters in diameter exploded over a forest in Siberia, devastating an area of ​​over 2,000 km² and knocking down 20 million trees.
What happens if asteroid 2024 YR4 reaches the moon?
According to NASA, even if the impact between asteroid 2024 YR4 and the moon occurs in 2032, the orbit of our satellite will not be affected. That is, the shock would have no risk to us here on Earth.
The meeting would probably create a new crater on the moon, giving scientists the opportunity to observe and study more about asteroids and their impacts – information that would be useful for improving land defense technology.
Asteroid fear reaching the earth increases searches by over 200%
This content was originally published in asteroid 2024 YR4: What happens if the object reaches the moon in 2032? on the CNN Brazil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
Charles Grill is a tech-savvy writer with over 3 years of experience in the field. He writes on a variety of technology-related topics and has a strong focus on the latest advancements in the industry. He is connected with several online news websites and is currently contributing to a technology-focused platform.
