Planetary Science

An asteroid could hit the moon in 2032, scattering debris toward Earth

Depending on local conditions, the impact could be visible from Earth

An illustration shows an asteroid flying past the cratered surface of the moon with Earth visible in the distant background.

The probability of asteroid 2024 YR4 striking the moon is currently about 4 percent.

MARK GARLICK/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/GETTY IMAGES

By Nikk Ogasa

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NEW ORLEANS — There’s about a 4 percent chance that a building-sized asteroid will hit the moon in 2032.