No chance asteroid will slam into the moon in 2032, NASA says

By: Marcia Dunn, The Associated Press Posted: 11:12 AM CST Thursday, Mar. 5, 2026 Last Modified: 10:26 AM CST Saturday, Mar. 7, 2026

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA issued a welcomed all-clear Thursday, saying there's now zero chance that asteroid 2024 YR will crash into the moon in 2032.

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA issued a welcomed all-clear Thursday, saying there's now zero chance that asteroid 2024 YR will crash into the moon in 2032.

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This article was published 05/03/2026 (197 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA issued a welcomed all-clear Thursday, saying there’s now zero chance that asteroid 2024 YR will crash into the moon in 2032.

The space agency had been predicting a 4.3% chance of a direct hit. But observations by the Webb Space Telescope in February helped scientists refine the asteroid’s orbit.

This new information indicates that the asteroid will miss the moon by 13,200 miles (21,200 kilometers) on Dec. 22, 2032.

FILE - This undated photo provided by NASA shows a view from orbit looking at the surface of the moon. (Ernie T. Wright/NASA via AP, File)

Discovered at the end of 2024, the asteroid at first looked like it might threaten Earth. Scientists last year ruled out a collision with our planet anytime in the next century, but kept the moon as a possible target. The asteroid is about 200 feet (60 meters) across.

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