According to a NASA study, the probability of asteroid 2024 YR4 colliding with Earth is increasing. This probability has increased to 2.3 percent. There is also a possibility of it colliding with the moon. According to new calculations, there is a 0.3 percent chance of 2024 YR4 colliding with the moon.
The giant asteroid moving towards Earth has increased the concern of scientists. This asteroid named 2024 YR4 has already been predicted to collide with Earth. Now a new study has increased the possibility of its collision with Earth and has also predicted its collision with the moon. The Center for Near Earth Object Studies of the US space agency NASA has increased the possibility of this asteroid colliding with Earth from one to 2.3 percent.
According to calculations by David Rankin, an astronomer at the University of Arizona, this 90-meter-wide asteroid has a 0.3 percent chance of hitting the moon. If this happens, it will create a huge crater on the moon and debris will spread into space. Some of this debris may also fall on Earth.
What will happen on collision with the moon?
Scientists say that the moon does not have an atmosphere like the Earth, so a crater hundreds of meters wide can be formed when the asteroid collides. If 2024 YR4 collides with the moon, some debris can also fall on Earth. Dr. Rankin said in a conversation with New Scientist that there is a possibility that some debris will fall on Earth but I do not think it will pose any major threat.
The name of this asteroid, which is becoming a threat to the Earth and the Moon, is 2024 YR4. Its size is between 40 to 90 meters. Its probability of collision with Earth was earlier estimated to be 1.3 percent, which is now said to be 2.3. Experts say that if this asteroid collides with the Earth and falls in a populated area, it will cause serious damage. However, there is a possibility that YR4 will fall in the sea or some remote part of the Earth. At present it is very far from Earth. It is difficult to decide what effect it will have in case of collision.
Astronomers of the United Nations are keeping an eye on this asteroid. The European Space Agency (ESA) has said that there is a 98 to 99 percent chance of the asteroid passing safely near the Earth on December 22, 2032, but the remaining two percent possibility of collision cannot be ruled out. Any such collision can cause a major disaster. Countries of South Asia (India-Pakistan and surrounding countries) can also come under the purview of this destruction.
China will form a special team
Meanwhile, China has announced the formation of a new team to protect against asteroids. Chinese scientists will study the passage of this asteroid near the Earth in 2028 so that the possibility of it colliding with the Earth in 2032 can be accurately estimated. China has decided to increase its research in the field of space.