Asteroid 2024 YR4: Could It Hit the Moon in 2032?

There’s a new space rock in town—2024 YR4—and while it’s got a tiny chance of hitting Earth, I’m way more interested in the possibility of it smacking into the Moon. Not because I want destruction (okay, maybe a little), but because it would be an amazing scientific opportunity.

Could 2024 YR4 Strike the Moon?

Right now, predictions say that 2024 YR4 probably won’t hit Earth, but there’s a slightly better (though still small) chance it could collide with the Moon. Unlike Earth, which has an atmosphere to break up smaller asteroids, the Moon is just sitting there, fully exposed. If this rock does end up crashing into the lunar surface, it would carve out a fresh crater and send seismic waves rippling through the Moon’s interior—essentially making the Moon “ring” like a bell.

Is Earth in Danger?

The good news? 2024 YR4 is not a planet-killer. Even if it were on a collision course with Earth (which it’s not), it’s not big enough to cause any catastrophic damage. At most, if it entered Earth’s atmosphere, it would likely burn up or break apart into smaller pieces, causing a spectacular fireball in the sky rather than a full-scale impact. That said, astronomers are keeping an eye on it—because when it comes to space rocks, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Smacking the Moon for Science

By the time 2024 YR4 might get here, there will be new seismic equipment on the Moon, thanks to upcoming lunar missions. These upgraded seismometers will be able to detect how the impact’s seismic waves travel through the Moon, much like how scientists use earthquakes to study Earth’s insides. This could finally answer a question that’s been bugging people for decades: Is the Moon’s interior solid, or does it have molten layers?

Back in the Apollo days, astronauts left seismometers on the Moon, and they picked up some weird data that suggested the Moon might have a core. But those instruments had their limits. With today’s technology, we could finally get a definitive answer by watching how the impact makes the Moon resonate like a bell.

Why This Would Be Awesome

Understanding what’s inside the Moon isn’t just for fun (though it is very fun). It helps us figure out how the Moon formed, how active it is, and whether it has any hidden surprises beneath the surface. Was it really born from a giant collision with Earth? Does it have a gooey molten core, or is it just a solid hunk of rock? A well-placed asteroid strike could give us the answers in a way no controlled experiment ever could.

Fingers Crossed for an Impact

I’m not saying I want 2024 YR4 to hit the Moon, but… yeah, I kinda do. Not for destruction, but for science. If it happens, it’ll be a once-in-a-lifetime event—one that could give us the clearest picture yet of what’s lurking beneath the Moon’s surface. So, while most people will be hoping this asteroid misses everything, I’ll be here hoping it gives the Moon a solid smack—for the sake of discovery.