NASA confirmed that new observations using the James Webb Space Telescope eliminated the possibility of asteroid 2024 YR4 impacting the Moon on 22 December 2032. Based on this new data, the asteroid is said to safely fly past the Moon at a distance of 21,200 km from the lunar surface. NASA’s planetary defence experts note that this new information is based on improved precision in the asteroid’s orbit, rather than a change in the asteroid’s path, with the original 4.3 percent impact probability now being zero.
Webb observations refine asteroid’s orbit
According to NASA, the Johns Hopkins APL team used the Webb Telescope on the 18th and 26th of February, 2026, to obtain two vital observations of the asteroid 2024 YR4. The asteroid has been too faint for other telescopes to detect, but the Webb Telescope’s infrared technology detected the asteroid among the “faintest ever” observed for an asteroid. Using the data, NASA scientists were able to refine the asteroid’s orbit.
The asteroid, 2024 YR4, was initially detected by the ATLAS survey in late 2024, with a “small, but notable” risk of impacting Earth, although global tracking has eliminated the threat of impact in 2032 or any other future time.
Asteroid threat assessment and planetary defence
To assess the threats, international collaboration is necessary, along with constant sharing of data. The data obtained from survey telescopes around the globe are used by NASA, with centres like JPL using CNEOS to calculate the probability of a potential impact. If a potential threat is identified, NASA’s Planetary Defence Coordination Office (PDCO) notifies all international partners via the Asteroid Warning Network. Long-term measures to defend against asteroids involve surveys, such as the NEO Surveyor, and deflection tests, like DART. Nevertheless, the primary line of defence is detection.
