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A large asteroid called 2024 YR could smash into our moon in 2032, researcher said in early April.
Using the Gemini South telescope in Chile, researchers found that 2024 YR probably mostly recently came from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, according to Live Science. The “disk-like” asteroid is said to rotate once per 20 minutes and has an “unusual hockey-puck-like shape,” according to a statement from the research team.
“This find was rather unexpected since most asteroids are thought to be shaped like potatoes or toy tops rather than flat disks,” said Eureka Scientific’s Bryce Bolin. The fact the rock comes from the asteroid belt was also strange to the team, as most Earth-crossing asteroids don’t come from this region.
Are There Any Risks?
There is still a slim chance that 2024 YR could smash into our moon in less than a decade — roughly 3.8% as of early April — but as the space rock continues through the massive void of something that exits beyond us, these stats will change. (READ MORE: UK Abortion Law Could Make Praying At Home A Risk)
When 2024 YR was first discovered, people were a little nervous that it seemed to be on-course to smash into Earth. Given the size of the rock — roughly 130 to 300 feet in diameter — it was initially called a “city-killer,” as it had the potential to wipe out an entire city if it made it to Earth. The likelihood of 2024 YR hitting Earth then increased rapidly, before disappearing entirely. Now, there is a slim chance it’ll hit the moon, the risks of which are completely unknowable to most people, and totally uncontrollable.
We’ll just have to see what happens!
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