Asteroid 2024 YR4: A Moon Hit Could Light Up Skies and Spawn Earth Meteors
A study estimates that if asteroid 2024 YR4 hits the Moon in 2032, it could produce a bright Moon flash (magnitude −3 to −5), carve ~1 km crater, and emit an infrared glow for hours, along with a Moonquake. About 108 kg of lunar debris might reach Earth as meteors, offering a rare scientific observing opportunity. The event has a ~3.8% probability, with potential observations starting around 2028 and best viewing from the Pacific region and Mauna Kea.