NASA Confirms Asteroid 2024 YR4 Will Safely Bypass Moon in 2032

NASA has confirmed that asteroid 2024 YR4, initially considered a potential threat, will not impact the Moon on December 22, 2032.

Discovered in late 2024, the asteroid measures approximately 200 feet (60 meters) in diameter. Early assessments indicated a 4.3% chance of a lunar collision. However, recent observations using the James Webb Space Telescope in February 2026 have refined its trajectory, confirming it will pass safely by the Moon at a distance of about 13,200 miles (21,200 kilometers).

This update follows earlier analyses that had already ruled out any significant impact risk to Earth from 2024 YR4. The asteroid's close approach to the Moon will be closer than some satellites orbiting Earth, but it poses no threat to either celestial body.

The James Webb Space Telescope's infrared capabilities were instrumental in tracking the faint asteroid, allowing scientists to accurately determine its size and trajectory. This case underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and precise calculations in planetary defense efforts.