Asteroid 2024 YR4, once dubbed a potential “city-killer” due to its massive size, has been found to have an unusual flat shape. The asteroid, expected to hit the moon in 2032 with a 3.8% likelihood, was studied using the Gemini South telescope in Chile. Researchers discovered that it likely came from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter and has a disk-like shape similar to a hockey puck. This find is unexpected as most asteroids are thought to be shaped like potatoes or toy tops.
The asteroid’s size was estimated to be 98-213 feet (30-65 meters) wide, with some recent data suggesting it could be slightly larger, 174-220 feet (53-67 meters). Researchers believe that a lunar impact would provide an unprecedented opportunity to study how the size of an asteroid relates to the size of the crater it creates.
While unlikely, the possibility of 2024 YR4 hitting the moon is being taken seriously due to its massive size and potential for significant damage. The asteroid’s trajectory makes it likely to pass close to Earth in less than a year, sparking concerns about its impact on our planet.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/space/asteroids/city-killer-asteroid-that-might-hit-moon-has-unexpected-shape-astronomers-say