Initially, much uncertainty surrounded the flight path of the space rock known as 2024 YR4, a small asteroid that has recently become an object of much scientific attention. 2024 YR4, measuring between 174 and 220 feet, was once thought likely to collide with Earth’s Moon in December 2032. Early estimates showed around a 4.3% chance of impact. However, through consideration of new observations made with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), scientists have since eliminated this potential collision. The JWST’s measurements show that the asteroid will safely fly by the Moon in December 2032, missing by approximately 13,200 miles (or about 21,200 km). Using two sets of data taken by the JWST’s Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam) on February 18, 2026, and February 26, 2026, scientists from NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory were able to refine the asteroid’s trajectory and eliminate the possibility of impact with either the Moon or Earth. The asteroid will pass by the Moon without impacting it on 22 December 2032. Animation of asteroid 2024 YR4’s potential …