NASA reveals increased chance of asteroid hitting the moon

In early 2023, astronomers tracked an asteroid designated as 2024 YR4, which was initially believed to have a serious potential to impact Earth around December 2032. Observations from NASA indicated that the asteroid, estimated to be between 53 to 67 meters in size—roughly the dimensions of a 10-story building—held a concerning 3% chance of hitting Earth at the year's start. But as months passed, the risk of Earth impact was significantly lowered to near-zero due to more refined tracking and observations. By the end of February 2023, experts officially concluded that 2024 YR4 was unlikely to threaten our planet. However, updated analyses suggested an unexpected trajectory alteration, indicating a potential collision with the Moon instead. By the time detailed observations were made, the likelihood of the asteroid impacting the Moon increased from 1.7% to 3.8%, as evidenced by tracking from advanced facilities such as the James Webb Space Telescope. This recalibration was welcomed by the planetary defense community, as it offered a clearer understanding of the asteroid’s path amidst ongoing tracking efforts. The updated prediction highlighted that even in the unlikely event that it did impact the Moon, there would be no significant alteration to the Moon’s orbit or catastrophic consequences for Earth. In conclusion, even with a slight increase in potential impact probability, factors contributing to the asteroid's path remain adequately monitored, ensuring that humanity is not caught off guard in the face of cosmic threats.