NASA has recently confirmed that a fast-moving asteroid, spotted by the James Webb Space Telescope, might strike the Moon soon. This discovery has sparked both awe and concern among astronomers and the public alike. While the Moon is usually a steady and reassuring presence in our celestial neighborhood, this potential encounter raises important questions about planetary defense and our understanding of space. But here’s where it gets controversial…
The asteroid, known as 2024 YR4, is roughly the size of a 10-story building and has been calculated to have the highest recorded probability of hitting Earth among large asteroids in recent history. However, further measurements have eased fears for our planet, introducing a new scenario: the asteroid might not hit us—but it could hit the Moon.
If the Moon were struck, it would create a new lunar crater, one large enough to be tracked by telescopes around the world. According to astronomer Pawan Kumar, any lunar debris flung toward Earth would burn up harmlessly in our atmosphere, posing no threat to our planet or our safety. However, this would offer a rare scientific opportunity to study, in real time, how a space collision behaves outside Earth’s atmosphere.
Even without posing an immediate danger, asteroid 2024 YR4 has already proven extremely valuable. Its discovery has kicked off a full-scale planetary defense rehearsal inside NASA, testing how quickly teams can respond to new data. This isn’t the first time NASA has prepared for such scenarios, and the agency will continue tracking it as it passes near the Moon and Earth throughout the 2030s.
What do you think—should we worry more about these small cosmic visitors, or admire them as part of our universe’s natural rhythm? Share your thoughts, reactions, and questions below.