According to current calculations, there is a 4 percent chance of a 60-meter asteroid impact. Scientists have begun preparing for worst-case scenarios.
According to Sciencealert, there is a 4 percent probability that a 60-meter-wide asteroid will hit the Moon in 2032. Although it seems like a small probability, this rate is high enough for scientists to not ignore.
Researchers are preparing for both the bad scenario (meteor showers that could occur if it hits) and the good scenario (an possibility to study the Moon’s geology, seismology, and chemical structure).
In the event of an impact by the asteroid named ‘2024 YR4‘, the event will be visible to the naked eye from the Pacific region.TRT Haber’s
Potential Asteroid Deflection Mission Under consideration
Recent discussions within space agencies suggest a potential mission to alter the trajectory of an asteroid, shoudl a future threat be identified. The feasibility of such a mission will be assessed based on precise measurements taken during a close approach in 2028. Scientists face a critical decision: prioritize observing a potential impact event for valuable data, or actively attempt to safeguard Earth by modifying the asteroid’s path.
As of January 28, 2026, no specific asteroid poses an immediate impact threat to Earth, but ongoing monitoring and planning for potential future scenarios are crucial. NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office leads efforts in this area, including asteroid detection, tracking, and characterization.
Asteroid Monitoring and Planetary Defense
The Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory continuously monitors near-Earth objects (NEOs) to assess any potential impact hazards. the European Space Agency (ESA) also has a Planetary Defense Office dedicated to similar efforts. These agencies utilize ground-based telescopes and space-based observatories to refine asteroid orbits and predict future trajectories.
Recent Space Exploration Developments
Several recent events highlight the ongoing challenges and advancements in space exploration:
* Lunar Missions: NASA’s Artemis program aims to return humans to the Moon, with the ultimate goal of establishing a sustainable lunar presence. Recent reports indicate astronaut quarantine protocols are in place prior to missions, as noted in Spaceflight Now.
* Private Lunar Landing Attempts: ispace, a Japanese company, has faced setbacks in its attempts to land a spacecraft on the Moon, with communication loss during its second mission, as reported by Reuters.
* Space Tourism and Public Perception: Public interest in space exploration remains high, as evidenced by discussions surrounding space tourism and skepticism about past achievements, such as the Apollo missions, as highlighted by NBC News regarding Kim Kardashian’s comments and NASA’s response.
* Turkish Astronaut Alper Gezeravcı: Turkish astronaut alper Gezeravcı recently completed experiments aboard the International Space Station, marking a significant milestone for Turkey’s space program.
