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The Hill
an hour ago
- Science
- The Hill
How NASA found ‘city killer' asteroid's new potential target: the moon
(KTLA) – Although it won't hit Earth, an asteroid once labeled a ' city killer ' is now back in the spotlight — this time, because it might hit the moon. Nexstar's KTLA spoke with Davide Farnocchia, a navigation engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory who works in the agency's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies. He shared how scientists tracked the 200-foot-long asteroid's shifting path, right up until it slipped out of view — for now. 'You can call it a city killer, but there's no city at risk. The Earth is out of the way,' Farnocchia said. 'But the moon is not.' Asteroid 2024 YR4, first spotted in December 2024, is now being closely monitored as a potential lunar impactor in 2032. 2024 YR4: The 'city killer' that threatened to hit Earth in 2032 Just weeks after its discovery, YR4 made headlines when its odds of hitting Earth spiked to 3.1 percent, making it the most threatening asteroid observed in over two decades. That risk earned it a 3 out of 10 on the Torino scale, a rarely used classification signaling a credible, though uncertain, threat. Farnocchia recalled the moment his team had to alert astronomers of the impact probability. 'We had to notify them and say, 'Look, this object should get higher priority in your schedule for observing asteroids tonight,'' he said. 'We needed more data to hopefully prove that it would move away from the Earth, which is what almost always happens.' But instead of fading from concern, YR4's risk level climbed. By mid-February 2025, the asteroid had a 1 in 32 chance of impacting Earth. An impact of its size could have devastated a metropolitan area if it had struck land. 'YR4 represented the most significant impact risk that we had over the last 20 years,' said Farnocchia. 'However, we communicated early on that the probability would likely drop as we got more data, and that's exactly what happened.' By the end of February, improved measurements helped rule out an Earth impact, but the story didn't end there. Not a threat to Earth. But what about the moon? While Earth was taken off the risk list, the moon quietly took its place. In May, scientists captured one final look at YR4 with NASA's James Webb Space Telescope before it slipped too far from view. That data, released in June, refined its projected path for Dec. 22, 2032, and raised the odds of a lunar impact to 4.3 percent. That's up from 3.8 percent in April, and just 1.7 percent earlier in the year. Even so, Farnocchia emphasized: 'The moon is smaller than the Earth, but it's a large body, so even an asteroid of 200 feet is not going to do much to it.' He noted that it wouldn't alter the motion of the moon. And while a 4.3 percent chance may sound notable, it's still considered low by risk standards. Still, Farnocchia said, it's unusual to see the moon become a potential target at all. 'It should be less likely,' he said. 'In fact, you have a lot more impacts on Earth than on the moon; that checks out. It's much easier to hit the Earth than the moon … but now the moon happens to be in the realm of possibilities.' 2024 YR4 might not dazzle, but Apophis will If 2024 YR4 were to hit the moon, don't expect a light show. 'If it hits the moon, the impact wouldn't be visible to the naked eye,' the NASA engineer said. 'You'd need a pretty big telescope, and even then, it might be hard to detect from Earth.' But skywatchers won't have to wait long for something more dramatic. On April 13, 2029, the asteroid Apophis — about 1,100 feet wide — will fly closer to Earth than many satellites, putting on a rare and safe spectacle. 'It's going to be so close, and given its size, it's going to be bright enough to be visible to the naked eye. It's going to be as bright as the stars in the Little Dipper,' Farnocchia said. Apophis' flyby is one of the closest ever recorded for an object of its size. NASA says it may be the first such event humans have witnessed with modern instruments. 'An asteroid this large passes this close to Earth only every few thousand years on average, so it's likely that an event like this has not happened at any time in recorded human history,' the organization stated. 'Without a doubt this is the first time it's happened when humans have had the technology to observe it.' How good is NASA at predicting impacts? Very good — and getting better. 'We had a few very small objects discovered before reaching Earth. They burn up harmlessly, but predicting their impacts and locations felt like a big accomplishment,' Farnocchia said. New observation tools and modeling techniques are making it possible to predict not only impact locations, but even recover fragments from impacts. 'Recently, we were able to predict impact locations and recover meteorites, which is kind of interesting because that's a final validation that you predicted the right impact point,' he said. 'One colleague was notified of an impact predicted in Canada, so he just went outside and set up a camera to observe it. That was really cool.' Why it matters While the moon isn't in any real danger, 2024 YR4 has become a key case study for NASA's planetary defense systems. It's the first object since Apophis to climb to a 3 on the Torino Scale, and the first ever tracked with the James Webb Space Telescope, which improved impact projections by nearly 20 percent. 'There is so much I could say about YR4 — it was really interesting to see the orbit behave exactly as we expected,' Farnocchia said. 'I like to see how the predictions evolve with each new set of observations. It's a sign that our models are working well.' NASA expects YR4 to reenter view in 2028 for another round of observations — and possibly another plot twist.
Economic Times
a day ago
- Science
- Economic Times
What happens if the moon takes a hit? Scientists brace for a possible asteroid collision
TIL Creatives Representative AI Image Asteroid 2024 YR4 is back in the spotlight. Discovered in late 2024 and initially feared to be heading for Earth, new tracking data has calmed those concerns. But scientists are not ready to relax just still a 4 percent chance the asteroid could hit the Moon in 2032. That might sound low, but the consequences are worth paying attention to.A study still under peer review suggests that if 2024 YR4 strikes, it could leave a crater over half a mile wide and send chunks of lunar rock into researchers warn this could pose real dangers to satellites and space missions. While the debris wouldn't endanger Earth directly, it could have knock-on effects above our put things in perspective, the asteroid is only 175 to 220 feet across. That's about the size of a 15-storey building. But size isn't the only thing that matters in space. If it comes in fast and at the right angle, it could pack a serious James Webb Space Telescope spotted the asteroid on 26 March 2025. It confirmed that 2024 YR4 has a rough, jagged surface and reflects more light than expected. According to Fox News, it's the smallest object the telescope has observed so suggest that if it does impact, it'll likely crash into the Moon's southern region. That's where the debris risk comes in.'Hundreds to thousands of impacts from mm-sized debris' could scatter across Earth's low orbit, the researchers wrote. That includes areas filled with active satellites and communication all the debris would float harmlessly through space. Some could fall into Earth's atmosphere.'The resulting meteor shower could last a few days and be spectacular,' the study says. It would likely be visible to the naked eye, though less intense than typical meteor events because the debris would be moving that might sound exciting for skywatchers, the real risk lies in orbit. Satellites could be peppered by tiny fragments for weeks or even months. Damage could include minor surface hits or temporary outages. These effects might not be catastrophic, but they could disrupt services people rely on Lunar Gateway, a planned space station that will orbit the Moon, could be a direct target of any flying debris if 2024 YR4 station isn't alone. Several future missions, including robotic and crewed Moon landings over the next decade, may also be in concern isn't new. As the study highlights, a similar debate erupted in 2021 after the uncontrolled re-entry of a Chinese Long March 5B rocket. That incident reignited questions about how we manage safety in orbit. There are currently over 10,000 active satellites and at least 25,000 tracked pieces of space junk circling Earth. Add high-speed lunar debris into the mix, and the risk of collision rises sharply. When 2024 YR4 was first identified, it was thought to be heading for Earth. For a short time, it was given the highest rating ever on the Torino Impact Hazard Scale. That's the system used to measure asteroid February 2025, scientists had ruled out an Earth impact. But the new trajectory pointed to the Moon from NASA's Webb telescope show its surface littered with boulder-sized rocks, according to Fox Weather. That suggests the asteroid is more than just a smooth pebble in space. It has the potential to cause real disruption, even from hundreds of thousands of kilometres researchers behind the study are from the University of Western Ontario and Athabasca University. They say we won't get better data until 2028, when the asteroid comes back into then, all anyone can do is wait, watch, and prepare.
Economic Times
a day ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Nvidia Executives Colette Kress and Jay Puri Join Billionaire Ranks Amid AI Stock Surge
Reuters A NVIDIA logo is shown at SIGGRAPH 2017 in Los Angeles, California, U.S. July 31, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo Nvidia billionaires: The relentless rise of Nvidia has driven two of the company's top executives into the billionaire ranks, joining their boss, CEO Jensen Huang, as some of the most richly rewarded figures in tech, as per a Kress, Nvidia's Chief Financial Officer, and Jay Puri, Executive Vice President of Worldwide Field Operations, have both crossed into 10-figure territory in net worth, according to Bloomberg's Billionaires Index. Their fortunes come due to their massive holdings in Nvidia stock, which has surged nearly 70% over the past year and 27% in 2025 alone, pushing the chipmaker's market cap past $4 trillion, as reported by Fortune. For Kress, the path to billionaire status is paved with patience and stock. On July 15, Kress sold just over 27,000 shares for roughly $171 apiece, raking in $4.7 million, as reported by Fortune. Yet, even after that sale, SEC filings reveal she still holds nearly 3 million shares directly, as per the Fortune report. Along with that, Kress also holds hundreds of thousands of Nvidia shares that are indirectly retained through trusts or immediate family members, according to the report. ALSO READ: Asteroid 2024 YR4 may smash into moon, wipe out 10,000 satellites, and trigger meteor showers on earth Even Puri's fortune tells a similar story. Though he directly holds around 634,000 shares, worth over $108 million, he holds more wealth via indirect ownership, as per the Fortune report. Puri controls roughly 20 million shares through various trusts, plus another 46,000 held in a children's trust under his care, according to the report. Both executives sold their shares through pre-planned Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, which are designed to prevent accusations of insider trading, as per Fortune. These plans lock in trade dates, volumes, and prices based on formulas rather than discretion, and must be executed by independent third parties, according to the Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang, whose own net worth has ballooned to $153 billion, surpassed even billionaire investor Warren Buffett, as per Fortune. Huang is famously known to be obsessed with work, he claims he can't even watch a movie without thinking about the company, but he's just as focused on rewarding those who help build it, according to the report. Huang said recently during a panel hosted by venture capitalists running the All-In podcast, saying, 'I've created more billionaires on my management team than any CEO in the world. They're doing just fine,' and added that, 'Don't feel sad for anybody at my layer. My layer is doing just fine,' quoted also revealed that he makes sure that his key personnel are being compensated appropriately and also look at all employees' pay, as reported by Fortune. Huang told the panel this month, 'I review everybody's compensation up to this day. I sort through all 42,000 employees, and 100% of the time I increase the company's spend on [operating expenses]. And the reason for that is because you take care of people, everything else takes care of itself,' as quoted in the Fortune are Nvidia's newest billionaires?Colette Kress (CFO) and Jay Puri (EVP of Worldwide Field Operations) have both become billionaires, largely due to their Nvidia stock holdings. What is Rule 10b5-1? It's a legal framework that allows executives to sell stock through pre-set plans to avoid insider trading accusations.
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Science
- Economic Times
Asteroid 2024 YR4 may smash into moon, wipe out 10,000 satellites, and trigger meteor showers on earth
Asteroid 2024 YR4: Scientists detected Asteroid 2024 YR4. It may hit the Moon. There is a 4% chance of impact. A collision could create a large crater. Lunar debris might trigger meteor showers on Earth. This poses a risk to thousands of satellites. Spacecraft orbiting the Moon could also face danger. Impacts may damage satellites in the near future. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Will Asteroid 2024 YR4 Hit the Moon? Scientists Warn of Lunar Impact Risk Size of Asteroid 2024 YR4 and the Scale of Potential Moon Crater Could Lunar Debris from the Impact Trigger Meteor Showers on Earth? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Over 10,000 Satellites at Risk If Lunar Debris Reaches Earth Orbit FAQs was detected by scientists and raises warnings of a close possibility to hit thein the near future, as per a report. Although there is only a 4% possibility of impact, the experts caution that in case it hits, its effects would ripple beyond our lunar neighbor and could pose a threat to thousands of satellites revolving around, as well as throw spectacularinto Earth, as per The Express last year, asteroid 2024 YR4 initially caused panic as it appeared to be heading straight for Earth, briefly earning a high threat level on the Torino Impact Hazard Scale, according to the report. But follow-up observations, including crucial data from, reassured scientists that Earth itself is not at risk at present, as per The Express. Instead, attention has shifted to the Moon, where the asteroid might still make a dramatic impact, according to the READ: Who will inherit Ozzy Osbourne's $220 million fortune? Here's who gets what It measures between 175 to 220 feet wide, and it is wide enough that if it were to strike the Moon, it would create a crater of more than half a mile in diameter, the largest lunar impact in about 5,000 years, according to The at thesubmitted a study for review that found that the impact of the asteroid on the Moon could eject lunar debris into space and toward Earth, as reported by The READ: Before Sharon: Meet the first Mrs Osbourne who wiped Ozzy from her life completely The potential meteor shower would be a risk to the thousands ofthat orbit Earth, as per the report. With more than 10,000 operational satellites and more than 25,000 pieces of space trash in low-Earth orbit, the incoming space junk has the potential to cause collisions, damage, and disruptions that would last for a days, according to The have warned that the debris could pose a 'serious hazard to moon-orbiting spacecraft,' such as NASA's Lunar Gateway, and could be an 'even greater danger' to surface operations on the moon, as reported by The authors explained, 'Given the very large total exposed area for satellites by 2032, it becomes possible that hundreds to thousands of impacts from mm-sized debris ejected by a lunar impact from 2024 YR4 will be experienced across the entire satellite fleet," adding, 'Such impacts may damage satellites, but are small enough to generally not end active missions or cause breakups,' as quoted in The about a 4% chance it could collide with the Moon within the next Scientists have confirmed that Earth is currently safe from this asteroid.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Asteroid 2024 YR4 may smash into moon, wipe out 10,000 satellites, and trigger meteor showers on earth
Asteroid 2024 YR4 was detected by scientists and raises warnings of a close possibility to hit the Moon in the near future, as per a report. Although there is only a 4% possibility of impact, the experts caution that in case it hits, its effects would ripple beyond our lunar neighbor and could pose a threat to thousands of satellites revolving around Earth , as well as throw spectacular meteor showers into Earth, as per The Express report. Will Asteroid 2024 YR4 Hit the Moon? Scientists Warn of Lunar Impact Risk Discovered last year, asteroid 2024 YR4 initially caused panic as it appeared to be heading straight for Earth, briefly earning a high threat level on the Torino Impact Hazard Scale, according to the report. But follow-up observations, including crucial data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope , reassured scientists that Earth itself is not at risk at present, as per The Express. Instead, attention has shifted to the Moon, where the asteroid might still make a dramatic impact, according to the report. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Finance Management Healthcare Degree Leadership Cybersecurity Technology MBA PGDM Operations Management CXO Artificial Intelligence Data Analytics Digital Marketing Project Management healthcare Data Science others Design Thinking MCA Others Public Policy Product Management Data Science Skills you'll gain: Duration: 9 Months IIM Calcutta SEPO - IIMC CFO India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 7 Months S P Jain Institute of Management and Research CERT-SPJIMR Fintech & Blockchain India Starts on undefined Get Details ALSO READ: Who will inherit Ozzy Osbourne's $220 million fortune? Here's who gets what Size of Asteroid 2024 YR4 and the Scale of Potential Moon Crater It measures between 175 to 220 feet wide, and it is wide enough that if it were to strike the Moon, it would create a crater of more than half a mile in diameter, the largest lunar impact in about 5,000 years, according to The Express. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo Could Lunar Debris from the Impact Trigger Meteor Showers on Earth? Scientists at the University of Western Ontario and Athabasca University in Canada submitted a study for review that found that the impact of the asteroid on the Moon could eject lunar debris into space and toward Earth, as reported by The Express. ALSO READ: Before Sharon: Meet the first Mrs Osbourne who wiped Ozzy from her life completely Live Events Over 10,000 Satellites at Risk If Lunar Debris Reaches Earth Orbit The potential meteor shower would be a risk to the thousands of satellites that orbit Earth, as per the report. With more than 10,000 operational satellites and more than 25,000 pieces of space trash in low-Earth orbit, the incoming space junk has the potential to cause collisions, damage, and disruptions that would last for a days, according to The Express. Scientists have warned that the debris could pose a 'serious hazard to moon-orbiting spacecraft,' such as NASA's Lunar Gateway, and could be an 'even greater danger' to surface operations on the moon, as reported by The Express. The authors explained, 'Given the very large total exposed area for satellites by 2032, it becomes possible that hundreds to thousands of impacts from mm-sized debris ejected by a lunar impact from 2024 YR4 will be experienced across the entire satellite fleet," adding, 'Such impacts may damage satellites, but are small enough to generally not end active missions or cause breakups,' as quoted in The Express. FAQs How likely is asteroid 2024 YR4 to hit the Moon? There's about a 4% chance it could collide with the Moon within the next decade. Should I be worried about the asteroid hitting Earth? No. Scientists have confirmed that Earth is currently safe from this asteroid.
