Archive · 30 Jul 2025
Asteroid to Pass Earth; Potential Moon Impact in 2032
Imagine a big space rock, like a building, is going to zoom past Earth.
Scientists say it won't hit us, but it might hit the Moon in 2032.
They used a special telescope to learn more about it.
If it hits the Moon, it would make a big boom and a crater.
It might also cause bits of the Moon to fly off, which could make a cool meteor shower for a few days.
These bits could also possibly bump into some satellites.
Asteroid 2024 Y44, the size of a building, will pass by Earth on July 30, 2024.
NASA revised the asteroid's trajectory, estimating a 4.3% chance of striking the Moon in 2032.
The James Webb Space Telescope's data helped refine the asteroid's orbit and size estimates.
If the asteroid impacts the Moon, it could create a 1-kilometer-wide crater and a meteor shower.
Small debris fragments could pose a risk to satellites in low-Earth orbit.
- Who
- NASA scientists are tracking asteroid 2024 Y44.
- What
- Asteroid 2024 Y44 will pass by Earth and might strike the Moon in 2032.
- When
- The asteroid will pass Earth on July 30, 2024 and could impact the Moon in 2032.
- Where
- The asteroid will pass by Earth and could potentially impact the Moon.
- Why
- Scientists are tracking the asteroid to understand its trajectory and potential impact risk.
Concerns
Reassurance
Threat to Earth
Concerns
Initial assessments deemed the asteroid a global threat.
Reassurance
Further observation has ruled out any danger to Earth.
- Asteroid Name
- 2024 Y44
- Earth Pass
- July 30, 2024
- Moon Impact Probability
- 4.3% in 2032
- Asteroid Diameter
- 53-67 meters (175–220 feet)
- Potential Crater Size
- Around 1 kilometer wide
- Ejected Debris
- Up to 220 million kilograms