Latest news with #Asteroid
Economic Times
30-07-2025
- 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.
UPI
19-06-2025
- Science
- UPI
NASA raises chance for asteroid to hit the moon
An artist's illustration of the James Webb Space in space. According to new data, NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has increased the likelihood that an object called Asteroid 2024 YR4 will strike the Moon in 2032. NASA Photo/UPI | License Photo June 19 (UPI) -- NASA has announced that an asteroid about 200 feet in diameter is now slightly more likely to crash into the moon. According to the newest data collected, NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has refined the expected course for Asteroid 2024 YR4 and has given it an increased 4.3% probability of striking the moon on Dec. 22, 2032. The original likelihood was at 3.8% probability. The space rock is too far off in space to be detected with ground telescopes, but the James Webb Space Telescope, which orbits the sun, was able to take a new look at the space rock earlier this month before it was obscured from view. It was that opportunity that provided the data that led to the changed forecast. Due to YR4's solar orbit, NASA won't be able to view it again until it comes back around the sun in 2028. According to a research paper submitted to the American Astronomical Society journals and published Monday, should the asteroid hit the moon, it could cause a crater as large as around 3,200 feet and release 6.5 megatons of energy. As much as 220 million pounds of lunar material could be released by such an impact, and then as much as 10% of that ejecta could fall to Earth a few days later, so "meteorites are unlikely, though not impossible" according to the paper, but it would create an "eye-catching" meteor shower. However, any moon bits that do come toward the Earth also could increase the meteoroid impact exposure faced by satellites in near-Earth orbit for as long as a decade.
Wales Online
12-06-2025
- Science
- Wales Online
NASA says there's higher chance Asteroid 2024 YR4 will hit the Moon
NASA says there's higher chance Asteroid 2024 YR4 will hit the Moon The asteroid was originally projected to hit Earth, but a moon strike is now more likely We now have a more accurate track on Asteroid YR4 An asteroid scientists feared would cause havoc by striking the Earth in the year 2032 now has an increased likelihood of hitting the Moon. Asteroid 2024 YR4 is currently too distant to detect with telescopes from Earth, but NASA's James Webb Space Telescope collected one more observation of the asteroid before it escaped from view in its orbit around the Sun. With the additional data, experts from NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California further refined the asteroid's orbit. The Webb data improved our knowledge of where the asteroid will be on 22 December 22, 2032, by nearly 20%. As a result, the asteroid's probability of impacting the Moon has slightly increased from 3.8% to 4.3%. In the small chance that the asteroid were to impact, it would not alter the Moon's orbit. When asteroid 2024 YR4 was first discovered, the asteroid had a small chance of impacting Earth. After more observations, NASA concluded the object poses no significant impact risk to Earth in 2032 and beyond. As additional data comes in, it is normal for the impact probability to evolve. An international team led by Dr. Andy Rivkin from the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, made the observations using Webb's Near-Infrared Camera in May. Asteroid 2024 YR4 is now too far away to observe with either space or ground-based telescopes. NASA expects to make further observations when its orbit around the Sun brings it back into the vicinity of Earth in 2028.
India Today
11-06-2025
- Science
- India Today
Chances of city-killer asteroid crashing on the Moon just went up
Astronomers observing the Asteroid 2024 YR4 have raised the probability of its crashing on the Moon as it becomes James Webb Space Telescope collected one more observation of the asteroid before it escaped from view in its orbit around the Sun. Analysis has now raised its probability of impacting the Moon from 3.8% to 4.3%.When the asteroid 2024 YR4 was first discovered, the asteroid had a small chance of impacting Earth. After more observations, NASA concluded the object poses no significant impact risk to Earth in 2032 and Estimated to be about 130 to 300 feet wide, Asteroid 2024 YR4 grabbed the attention of astronomers when it rose on the NASA automated Sentry risk list on December 31, 2024. This list includes any known near-Earth asteroids that have a non-zero probability of impacting Earth in the watch!Webb was able to help refine, by nearly 20%, our knowledge of the asteroid 2024 YR4's orbit, and the (super tiny) odds of it impacting the Moon in 2032. NASA Webb Telescope (@NASAWebb) June 5, 2025Astronomers have also constructed a 3D model of asteroid 2024 YR4 using observations conducted by the Gemini South telescope in team acknowledged that the unusually-shaped rock is one of the largest objects in recent history that could impact the Moon and that it likely originated from the main asteroid 2024 YR4 is now too far away to observe with either space or ground-based telescopes. NASA expects to make further observations when the asteroid's orbit around the Sun brings it back into the vicinity of Earth in 2028.," the team said in their data has improved our knowledge of where the asteroid will be on Dec. 22, 2032, by nearly 20%.In a paper, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, the team had noted that the asteroid has a diameter of about 30–65 meters (98–213 feet). The analysis also revealed that the asteroid has a rapid rotation period of approximately one rotation per 20 minutes, as well as an unusual hockey-puck-like team determined that 2024 YR4 most likely originated from the main asteroid belt, with a high probability of being perturbed into its current near-Earth orbit by gravitational interactions with Jupiter.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
NASA warns! Massive 25-storey building sized asteroid is set to pass close to Earth on May 28 - know the speed, time and other key details
A massive asteroid named 2025 JR is drawing global attention as it speeds toward Earth for a close encounter. Roughly the size of a 25-storey building, the space rock is set to make its nearest approach on Wednesday, May 28. While it will safely bypass Earth at a distance of 4.6 million kilometers, that proximity is considered unusually close in astronomical terms. The asteroid's size and speed—combined with its Earth-crossing orbit—have sparked interest among scientists, space agencies, and skywatchers alike. Though there is no risk of collision, the flyby serves as a vivid reminder of how close—and unpredictable—near-Earth objects can be, reinforcing the need for continued monitoring and space preparedness. Asteroid 2025 JR is moving towards Earth on May 28 On 28 May 2025, Asteroid 2025 JR is set to pass by Earth at 8:40 am IST, which is about 250 feet (76 meters) across, a respectable size in space. It's an Apollo-class near-Earth object (NEO)—a class marked by asteroids that have orbits that intersect with Earth's orbit around the Sun. Being of this kind of orbital feature, these asteroids are kept under close watch for how much danger they could pose. The asteroid travels at a staggering 40,800 km/h, a speed that, were it orbiting the Earth, would finish the journey in under an hour. While 2025 JR is not deemed a "potentially hazardous asteroid" because it is below the threshold diameter of 460 feet (140 meters), it is large enough that if it were to strike the Earth, the destruction would be devastating. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Did You Know Luxury Hotel Prices in 2025 Could Be So Low? Expertinspector Learn More Undo Asteroid 2025 JR: Date, time, speed and other details Parameter Details Name Asteroid 2025 JR Closest Approach Date 28 May 2025 Time of Approach 8:40 AM IST Estimated Diameter 250 feet (76 meters) Speed 40,800 km/h Distance from Earth 4.6 million kilometers Asteroid 2025 JR potential risk Should asteroid 2025 JR impact Earth, the destruction would be horrific. Moving at incredible velocity, the impact energy would be equivalent to a few nuclear bombs detonating in unison. This would destroy much, trigger huge explosions, and potentially result in large-scale loss of life. One traditional historical analogy most often provided is the 1908 Tunguska asteroid or comet explosion in Siberia, where an asteroid or comet with a diameter of approximately 160–200 feet exploded in the air. The explosion flattened approximately 2,000 square kilometres of trees—a wider area than the city of Delhi—showing the destructive energy released by comparatively small space bodies. How scientists track near-Earth objects Asteroid tracking 2025 JR is a complicated process which engages the whole world. NASA's Centre for Near-Earth Object Studies coordinates the activity by collecting data from a variety of telescopes and radar stations across the globe. Amateur astronomers also participate by searching the sky for unidentified objects. This network assists researchers in forecasting near-approach and possible impact events more accurately. But despite all these developments, there are still numerous space rocks that are unknown, posing challenges to planetary defence constantly. Also Read | Watch | NASA astronaut captures rare Northern Lights aurora display over North America from the International Space Station
