The chances of an impact of the Great Asteroid 2024 YR4 with the Moon increased, according to new estimates by NASA.

When the asteroid 2024 YR4 was first detected, the chances of collision with Earth in 2032 were few, but NASA reduced this estimate to 0.004%. However, the service announced that the possibility of hitting the Moon on December 22, 2032, has more than doubled, rising from 1.7% to 3.8%. This recalculation is based on data from telescopes, including space telescope James webb.

Despite the new estimation, NASA stresses that the likelihood of the asteroid will not hurt the Moon It remains at 96.2%. Also, even in the case of a bump, the moon orbit is not expected to be affected. Webb’s infrared observations have contributed to a more precise assessment of asteroid size, which is calculated between 53 and 67 meters, that is, about a ten -storey building.

From the first detection of the 2024 YR4 In December, hundreds of other objects have passed near the Earth, at distances shorter than that of the Moon.