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.
