Astronomers have confirmed that asteroid 2024 YR4 will not impact the Moon in December 2032, eliminating a lingering risk identified last year. Initially flagged as potentially hazardous to Earth, the asteroid’s trajectory has been refined through updated observations, including data from the James Webb Space Telescope.
The 60-meter asteroid – roughly the size of a 10- to 15-story building – was first discovered by the ATLAS telescopic network in Chile in late 2024. Early analyses suggested a 4.3 percent chance of a lunar collision, but new data indicates the asteroid will pass within 21,200 kilometers of the Moon. This level of precision in tracking near-Earth objects is a testament to advancements in astronomical technology, and highlights the growing capabilities of observatories like JWST.
Whereas a potential Earth impact was ruled out in February of last year, the possibility of a strike on the Moon remained a concern due to the Moon’s lack of a protective atmosphere, making it susceptible to impacts. A collision would have created a crater up to two kilometers in diameter. The European Space Agency too confirmed the revised trajectory, stating that the risk of impact has been eliminated.
The James Webb Space Telescope’s ability to track 2024 YR4 from 450 million kilometers away was crucial to the updated assessment, a feat beyond the capabilities of other telescopes. This demonstrates the versatility of JWST, originally designed for deep-space observations of galaxies and stars, in contributing to planetary defense efforts.
