A large asteroid, designated as 2024 YR4, is on a trajectory that could potentially collide with the Moon on December 22, 2032. This rare event has piqued the interest of NASA scientists, who are both cautious and excited about the prospect. The asteroid, roughly the size of a 15-story building, was first detected by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in Chile in late December 2024. Initial concerns arose when refined orbital models suggested a 3% chance of the asteroid striking Earth. However, subsequent observations in late February ruled out any Earth impact, and new projections indicate a 4% chance of the asteroid colliding with the Moon. NASA planetary defense experts emphasize that even if the asteroid were to strike the Moon, there would be no cause for panic.
Any debris that might enter Earth's atmosphere would burn up before reaching the ground. The real value of this event lies in its scientific significance, as it would provide researchers with a unique opportunity to study the impact in real-time. Impacts like this are extremely rare, and a collision visible from Earth would allow scientists to gain valuable insights into how debris spreads and how the Moon's surface absorbs energy.
NASA scientists have confirmed that a fast-moving asteroid first spotted by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS)Here's one of the sources related to this article: Visit website
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