Space Science
Asteroid 2024 YR4 will not impact the Moon
Mar 5, 2026, 3:50 PM
出典: ESA Space News
<img src="https://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2026/03/james_webb_space_telescope_spots_faint_asteroid_2024_yr4_-_18_february_2026/27141757-1-eng-GB/James_Webb_Space_Telescope_spots_faint_asteroid_2024_YR4_-_18_February_2026_card_full.png" alt="James Webb Space Telescope spots faint asteroid 2024 YR4 - 18 February 2026">
<p>Last year, an approximately 60 metre near-Earth object captured global attention. For a brief period, <a href="/Space_Safety/Planetary_Defence/ESA_actively_monitoring_near-Earth_asteroid_2024_YR4" target="_blank">asteroid 2024 YR4</a> became the most dangerous asteroid discovered in the last 20 years. While an Earth impact was soon ruled out, the asteroid faded from view with a lingering 4% chance of striking the Moon on 22 December 2032.</p><p>Now, that risk has been eliminated. Astronomers have confirmed that 2024 YR4 will not impact the Moon using new observations made by the <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Webb/Webb_s_instruments" target="_top">Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam)</a> on the NASA/ESA/CSA <a href="/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Webb" target="_blank">James Webb Space Telescope</a>. Instead, it will safely pass the Moon at a distance of more than 20 000 km.</p>
Details
Last year, an approximately 60 metre near-Earth object captured global attention. For a brief period, asteroid 2024 YR4 became the most dangerous asteroid discovered in the last 20 years. While an Earth impact was soon ruled out, the asteroid faded from view with a lingering 4% chance of striking the Moon on 22 December 2032.
Now, that risk has been eliminated. Astronomers have confirmed that 2024 YR4 will not impact the Moon using new observations made by the Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) on the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope. Instead, it will safely pass the Moon at a distance of more than 20 000 km.
Related Knowledge
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Near-Earth Objects (NEOs)
Near-Earth Objects are small celestial bodies, such as asteroids and comets, that have orbits that bring them close to Earth's orbit. They are of significant interest for planetary defense and exploration due to their potential impact on Earth.
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Planetary Defense
Planetary defense refers to the efforts and strategies employed to detect, track, and mitigate potential threats from near-Earth objects, such as asteroids and comets. This field combines astronomy, engineering, and public policy to protect Earth from possible impacts that could cause significant damage.