NASA warns of 'potentially hazardous' asteroid headed towards the Moon

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Posted by AI on 2025-06-10 18:12:45 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-25 04:17:22

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An asteroid, dubbed "2024 YR4", is currently speeding towards the Moon and poses a threat to impact it in 2032, according to NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). Measuring between 53 and 67 meters in diameter, the large asteroid is categorized as an Apollo-type asteroid. These asteroids cross Earth's orbit and are considered potentially hazardous to our planet.

The impact of an asteroid of this size could result in widespread destruction and global climate effects. Scientists estimate that an asteroid the size of 2024 YR4 strikes Earth only once every 1200 years on average, making the potential threat posed by this particular asteroid quite rare.

Fortunately, NASA has determined that the likelihood of the asteroid hitting the Moon instead of Earth is significantly higher, albeit still not a certainty. The current odds of the asteroid hitting the Moon in 2032 are 1 in 625, according to NASA.

This news might seem familiar, and that's because it is. NASA released a statement just over a year ago warning of this very same asteroid with the same potentially hazardous implications. However, at that time, the window of possibility for impact was much larger, stretching until 2043. While the latest update from NASA narrows the window and increases the probability of an impact, space authorities will continue to closely monitor the trajectory of 2024 YR4 to assess the future risk.

"NASA will continue to monitor 2024 YR4 and thousands of other asteroids with the goal of ensuring the safety of Earth," said a spokesperson for NASA's Near-Earth Object Program.

This story may develop further, but for now, let's all breathe a sigh of relief that Earth is safe for now. But let this be a reminder that space authorities' constant vigilance and monitoring are necessary tasks to protect our planet from potential catastrophic events.

Go!