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What Happens if an Asteroid Hits the Moon? Astronomers Are Racing to Find Answers
NONE, JUL 25 – Asteroid YR4 poses a 4.3% chance of impacting the moon in 2032, potentially threatening lunar infrastructure and Earth-orbiting satellites, scientists say.
- On December 22, 2032, Asteroid YR4 could strike the moon, despite initial projections of an Earth collision.
- Observations in early June improved YR4's orbit projection by almost 20%, NASA said, while the impact chance peaked at 3.1% in February and the asteroid is now beyond telescope reach.
- A collision could produce a bright flash visible to the naked eye for several seconds, Wiegert’s modeling shows, while particles could trigger an intense meteor shower and a brief naked-eye flash.
- While Earth’s surface remains safe, any astronauts or lunar infrastructure could be endangered, and satellites may endure a decade’s worth of meteoroid exposure in just days, Wiegert said.
- Upcoming observatories like NEO Surveyor and NEOMIR aim to shrink current blind spots, while a proposal has been approved to use Webb to observe YR4 in spring 2026.
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The asteroid known as 2024 YR4 is no longer visible from Earth, but it is still very much on the minds of scientists.
TVA NouvellesReposted by 
24heures.ca
24heures.caThe YR4 asteroid that was heading towards Earth could finally hit the Moon in 2032.
·Montreal, Canada
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left2Leaning Right1Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution73% Center
Bias Distribution
- 73% of the sources are Center
73% Center
L 18%
C 73%
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