NASA Confirms Asteroid 2024 YR4 Will Safely Pass Moon in 2032

NASA has confirmed that asteroid 2024 YR4 will not collide with the Moon in 2032. Recent observations from the James Webb Space Telescope in February have refined the asteroid's trajectory, indicating it will pass approximately 13,200 miles (21,200 kilometers) from the lunar surface on December 22, 2032.

Discovered in late 2024, the 200-foot (60-meter) wide asteroid initially appeared to pose a potential threat to Earth. However, subsequent analyses ruled out any risk of Earth impact within the next century. Earlier projections had estimated a 4.3% chance of the asteroid striking the Moon, but the latest data has eliminated this possibility.

The Webb Space Telescope's observations have provided a more precise understanding of 2024 YR4's orbit, ensuring that both Earth and its satellite remain safe from this asteroid.