# **City-Killer Asteroid 2024 YR4: Could It Strike the Moon Instead of Earth?**
A colossal asteroid, referred to as **2024 YR4**, has been recognized as a potential hazard to Earth. However, fresh assessments imply that rather than impacting our planet, this **city-killer asteroid** might collide with the Moon during its next approach in **2032**. While the likelihood of such an event is minimal, it has generated excitement among astronomers and space admirers.
## **What Is Asteroid 2024 YR4?**
Asteroid **2024 YR4** is a celestial body with a size of about **180 feet (55 meters) in diameter**. It was initially discovered by astronomers monitoring near-Earth entities (NEOs) that might intersect with our planet. Currently, the asteroid is moving at an incredible velocity of **30,000 mph (48,000 kph)**.
Early estimations indicated that **2024 YR4 had a 1-in-43 chance (2.3%) of impacting Earth on December 22, 2032**. Nevertheless, recent revisions show that it also holds a **0.3% chance of hitting the Moon**.
## **What Would Occur If It Struck Earth?**
Should **2024 YR4** collide with Earth, the aftermath could be devastating. Scientists project that the impact would unleash **8 megatons of energy**, equating to **500 times the force of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima**. Such a blast could **obliterate an entire city**, resulting in widespread devastation and loss of life.
Fortunately, the probability of an Earth strike remains slim, and astronomers are vigilantly observing the asteroid’s path.
## **What If It Collides with the Moon Instead?**
Even though the likelihood of the asteroid hitting the Moon is even slimmer than the risk of an Earth impact, the occurrence would still be **awe-inspiring**. According to **David Rankin**, an operations engineer at the University of Arizona’s Catalina Sky Survey, if **2024 YR4** were to impact the Moon, the explosion would be **observable from Earth**.
The impact would unleash energy comparable to **340 Hiroshima bombs**, resulting in a **huge explosion on the lunar surface**. Scientists estimate it would create a **1.2-mile-wide (2-km) crater**. However, considering the Moon’s past of cosmic impacts, this would not significantly alter its look.
## **Would It Endanger Earth?**
Despite the potential for a **stunning explosion**, experts assert there is **no genuine threat to Earth** if the asteroid were to strike the Moon. Some debris could be propelled from the impact, but **most of it would incinerate in Earth’s atmosphere** before reaching the ground.
As stated by **Gareth Collins**, a professor of planetary science at Imperial College London, any material that does arrive on Earth would probably be too small to pose any danger.
## **Concluding Thoughts**
While the concept of an asteroid impact—on either Earth or the Moon—can be unsettling, existing data indicates that **2024 YR4 is more likely to evade both destinations**. Nevertheless, astronomers will persist in monitoring its trajectory to identify any possible threats early on.
For the moment, space fans can only ponder the chance of witnessing a **colossal lunar explosion** in 2032. Whether it strikes the Moon or not, **2024 YR4 highlights the significance of asteroid observation and planetary defense strategies**.
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