Asteroid May Hit Moon: New Data Reveals Risk | JQJO

Asteroid 2024 YR4, a potentially hazardous object initially posing a small risk to Earth, now shows a 3.8% chance of impacting the Moon in 2032. Discovered by ATLAS in December 2024, its origin is traced to the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, an unusual source for Earth-crossing asteroids. Measuring 174-220 feet wide, it's a solid rock, unlike many larger 'rubble pile' asteroids. Observations from Keck Observatory and the Webb telescope are crucial for assessing its properties and planning potential deflection strategies, should it pose a future threat.