Asteroid 2024 YR4: NASA Confirms No Moon Impact Risk in 2032

Context
NASA confirmed that asteroid 2024 YR4 will not collide with the Moon in 2032, resolving earlier concerns raised by initial orbital calculations that suggested a small impact probability.

Asteroids vs Comets

Asteroids

  • Asteroids are rocky or metallic celestial bodies that mostly exist in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
  • They generally move in stable and less elongated orbits around the Sun.
  • Unlike comets, asteroids do not develop visible tails.

Comets

  • Comets are composed mainly of ice, dust and gases, which is why they are often called dirty snowballs.”
  • They originate from distant regions of the solar system such as the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud.
  • When comets approach the Sun, heat causes sublimation of ice, creating a bright coma and long tail.

Current Development

  • Early orbital models suggested a 3.8–4.3% probability of a lunar impact on December 22, 2032.
  • NASA used the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to obtain more precise trajectory data.
  • Updated calculations now show the asteroid will pass safely about 21,200 km away from the Moon.
  • Scientists have also ruled out any risk of Earth impact for at least the next century.
PYQ – 2011, Ans – B
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