On April 8, 2025, scientists announced that asteroid 2024 YR4, once believed to have a slight chance of hitting Earth, now poses a small risk of colliding with the moon. The asteroid, discovered just a month and a half before its close flyby in February 2025, was observed by astronomers using the Gemini South Observatory in Chile. Measuring approximately 60 meters in diameter, the asteroid spins rapidly—completing a full rotation every 20 minutes—and has a distinct, disk-like shape. This form, compared to a hockey puck, is atypical since most asteroids resemble irregularly shaped objects like potatoes. The asteroid is believed to have originated in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter and is primarily composed of silicates. Experts initially estimated a 3% chance of the asteroid hitting Earth in 2032, but that probability has now dropped to nearly zero.

Despite the reduced threat to Earth, scientists have noted a 3.8% likelihood that asteroid 2024 YR4 could impact the moon in the future. However, NASA confirmed that such a collision would not affect the moon’s orbit. The asteroid, which approaches Earth every four years, is currently moving beyond the range of ground-based telescopes. The Webb Space Telescope is expected to conduct further observations within the coming weeks. Researchers emphasized that tracking asteroids like 2024 YR4 is a valuable exercise in planetary defense and preparation for future celestial threats. The discovery of its anomalous shape adds significant insight into asteroid formation and supports ongoing research into space object categorization and impact prevention strategies.