Latest news with #IrisSeaton
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Could an asteroid hit the moon? NASA says chances have risen
A so-called "city killer" asteroid known as 2024 YR4 won't hit the Earth — but the moon might not be so lucky. Astronomers and scientists previously expressed some concern that the asteroid could collide with Earth. After its discovery in late 2024, its odds of impact with Earth briefly rose to historically high levels at a 3.1% chance. Eventually, however, astronomers ruled out the threat. While Earthlings may be safe, our latest glance of the asteroid in May, courtesy of NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, led the agency to conclude that YR4 now has an even higher chance of colliding with the moon in 2032 — though the chance still rests at only 4.3% The asteroid has left our view as it orbits the sun, meaning that the May Webb observations were the last chance to observe YR4 until it reemerges in 2028. NASA already has plans to study it again in three years. Until then, here's what we know about 2024 YR4 and its possible impact to our moon. Asteroid 2024 YR4 was estimated to measure between 174-220 feet, about the size of a 10-story building, according to NASA and the ESA. As the nickname suggests, an asteroid of this size would, as Scientific American magazine put it, unleash "enough localized devastation to destroy any unlucky metropolis in the way," with immediate effects resembling a detonating hydrogen bomb. Asteroid YR4 is a near-Earth asteroid, which NASA explained means it has an orbit that brings it into Earth's region of the solar system. As it was large enough to cause localized damage if it were to impact Earth, and surpassed the 1% impact probability threshold, it was of interest for planetary defense until the probability of impact was lowered. For some time, YR4 was the only object among more than 37,000 known large space rocks with any chance of hitting Earth anytime soon. Though the probability was only 3.1%, this actually marked a record high. With new observations in February 2025, however, astronomers announced that the probability had lowered to only 0.28%. Asteroid 2024 YR4 has a below 0.5% chance of hitting the Earth, according to observations from NASA and other astronomers. Another asteroid, Aphophis, received some attention after its discovery in 2004, and the 2.7% chance it held of hitting Earth in 2029. Additional observations showed that, while it will make a close flyby, Apophis does not pose a risk. While a collision with the Earth has now been ruled out, the moon is another story. Webb's March observations showed that the odds of YR4 colliding with the moon had risen from February from 1.7% to 3.8%. Odds rose again after Webb's May observations to 4.3%. NASA assured the public, however, that the moon's orbit around the Earth would not be altered by a collision with an asteroid the size of YR4. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY NETWORK, contributed to this report. Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: What is a 'city killer' asteroid? NASA says asteroid may hit moon
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US News & World Report releases its best states rankings: See North Carolina rating, top 10
Rankings for how the Carolinas serve their citizens among those for all 50 states in the country were wildly different, according to a new report. U.S. News & World Report's website calls the company a "multifaceted digital media company dedicated to helping consumers, business leaders and policy officials make important decisions in their lives." Using data and technology, the publication issues reporting and rankings on subjects from education to money to travel and beyond. A list of "best state rankings" from U.S. News drew on thousands of data points to measure how well states are "performing for their citizens." Rankings take into account things like health care, education, economy and public safety, weighting the categories based on a survey of what matters most to people. Here's what the report said about the Carolinas, the top 10 states in the country and more. North Carolina came up just a few rankings short of making the U.S. News top 10 at No. 13 overall. The report gave the state the following rankings out of the 50 states in various overall categories studied: Crime and Corrections - No. 25 Economy - No. 7 Education - No. 12 Fiscal Stability - No. 14 Health Care - No. 25 Infrastructure - 32 Natural Environment - 26 Opportunity - 18 According to U.S. News, the median household income in N.C. is $70,804, while the national average is $76,976. The poverty rate in N.C. sits slightly higher than the national average, 12.8% to 12.2%. The state ranks No. 10 in long-term fiscal stability, and No. 26 in short-term fiscal stability. Of the eight categories compiled for each state, N.C. made it into the top 10 of only one category: economy. Job growth was measured at 2.6% throughout N.C. compared to 1.4% countrywide, and net migration is 1.4% compared to only 0.06% nationwide. While N.C. nearly made it into the top 10 states on the U.S. News list, its neighbor, South Carolina, was on the opposite end of the spectrum, ranking at No. 40 in the country. The report gave the state the following rankings out of the 50 states in various overall categories studied: Crime and Corrections - 42 Economy - 14 Education - 43 Fiscal Stability - 20 Health Care - 30 Infrastructure - 36 Natural Environment - 21 Opportunity - 42 According to U.S. News, the median household income in S.C. is $67,804, while the national average is $76,976. The poverty rate in S.C. sits almost two percentage points above the national average, 13.9% to 12.2%. Though the state ranks at No. 28 in long-term fiscal stability, its short-term stability is significantly higher at No. 7. The 10 best states from U.S. News: Utah New Hampshire Idaho Minnesota Nebraska Florida Vermont South Dakota Massachusetts Washington More: Could bird flu be the next pandemic? What we know about H5N1 Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Is NC a good place to live? US News & World Report ranks all 50 states
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
When is the last day of school? Here's when summer break starts at 19 Western NC districts
Following a turbulent 2024-25 school year for Western North Carolina students, end-of-year dates have been decided. Disruptions in school schedules affected much of WNC, when flooding, landslides and heavy winds caused by Tropical Storm Helene made it impossible for schools to operate for extended periods of time. After much deliberation from WNC school boards, districts have now made final decisions on when the last day of the school year will be. Here's what we know. Asheville City Schools - June 6 Avery County Schools - May 29 Buncombe County Schools - June 10 Cherokee County Schools - May 30 Clay County Schools - May 23 Graham County Schools - May 23 Haywood County Schools - May 22 Henderson County Schools - May 30 Jackson County Schools - May 23 Macon County Schools - May 23 Madison County Schools - May 30 McDowell County Schools - June 6 Mitchell County Schools - May 29 Polk County Schools - May 23 Rutherford County Schools - May 23 Swain County Schools - May 29 Transylvania County Schools - June 6 Watauga County Schools - June 6 Yancey County Schools - May 23 Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: When does summer break start? Last days of school in Western NC
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
North Carolina wildfire containment: Fire risks aren't over yet, Forest Service says
Further updates on recent North Carolina wildfires from the U.S. Forest Service indicated progress in containment. The news release, issued at around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, explained that wet weather Western N.C. is aiding in the process of containing wildfires. However, the release warned that fire risks may rise again in coming days. The fully contained Ramshorn Fire and partially contained Falls Dam Fire and Hicks Cemetery fires in N.C. national forests have covered about 809 acres in total. Here's what we know from the Forest Service's statements. The recent news release from the U.S. Forest Service provided information on the effects of rainfall on the N.C. national forest wildfires. The Forest Service reported rainfall accumulation across the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests from 0.5-2 inches as of Wednesday evening, March 5. The release warned, however, that despite the precipitation WNC is seeing, warm, dry conditions with relative humidity dropping to 20% are forecast to return, increasing fire risk into the weekend. For wildfire updates, the release suggested following the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook at and checking for updates on the Forest Service website at More: Blood Worm Moon: What to know about March's total lunar eclipse, full moon The Ramshorn Fire in the Croatan National Forest of Carteret County is fully contained. The fire covered about 110 acres. The Hicks Cemetery Fire in the Pisgah National Forest of Haywood County is at about 50% containment. The fire has covered about 194 acres. The recent news release stated that the the affected area experienced sustained winds exceeding 20 mph from the south-southeast overnight, potentially pushing embers beyond containment lines. The release added that crews will remain alert and adjust containment as needed to compensate for potential hotspots, despite receiving nearly an inch of rainfall and forecasts of 1-2 inches of snow. The Falls Dam Fire in the Uwharrie National Forest of Montgomery County is about 85% contained. It was the largest of the three wildfires, covering about 505 acres. Outside of National Forests, Polk County Emergency Management posted on its Facebook page at 11:50 a.m. on Wednesday, March 5 about conditions of the 3910 Fire in the county. The post informed the public that the Polk County fire is now 91% contained, having burned 619 acres in total. As of 5 p.m. on March 4, operations have been handed over to the NCFS. The post thanked local fire departments, emergency personnel and the entire community for assistance in controlling the fire. More: Beer honors: Western NC city, town, breweries voted among best in the US Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: North Carolina wildfires containment increases: U.S. Forest Service
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
National Forest wildfires in North Carolina contained, US Forest Service says
All wildfires across North Carolina's National Forests have been contained or mostly contained, according to a 1:45 p.m. news release from the U.S. Forest Service on March 4. The Falls Dam Fire, Ramshorn Fire and Hicks Cemetery fires in N.C. National Forests covered about 765 acres in total. Here's what we know about the specifics on each fire based on statements from the Forest Service. The news release informed the public that the three fires, as well as "all other reported fires," have been contained. Fire crews will continue reinforcing containment lines using natural barriers and improving existing defenses to prevent further spread. Smoke may still be visible in contained areas. While a weather system moving in tonight, March 4, and lasting through tomorrow, March 5, will further elevate fire risk, the Forest Service expects precipitation and rising humidity to "moderate conditions and fire behavior in coming days." For wildfire updates, the release suggested following the National Forests in North Carolina on Facebook at and checking for updates on the Forest Service website at More: Wildfires in Western NC: See our interactive map The Ramshorn Fire in the Croatan National Forest of Carteret County is fully contained. The fire covered about 110 acres. The Hicks Cemetery Fire in the Pisgah National Forest of Haywood County is at about 40% containment. The fire covered about 150 acres. The Falls Dam Fire in the Uwharrie National Forest of Montgomery County is about 65% contained. It was the largest of the three wildfires, covering about 505 acres. While Forest Service fire crews have contained all reported fires in N.C.'s National Forests, Polk County Emergency Management posted on its Facebook page the morning of March 4 that conditions of the 3910 Fire remained stable overnight. The fire has burned 593 acres in Polk County and is 63% contained. The Facebook post said firefighters had made "tremendous progress." An update is expected around 5 p.m. March 4. This story will be updated. Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: North Carolina wildfires: Containment update from US Forest Service
