But our planet is not exactly out of the woods. Astronomers say that, if the asteroid hits the moon, the planet's gravity would siphon upwards of 10 percent of the debris back down to Earth.

Scientists are closely observing asteroid 2024 YR4, which poses a 4% chance of colliding with the Moon by 2032, potentially causing significant space debris and disruption.

Scientists are watching asteroid 2024 YR4 closely after it was first spotted in late 2024. While it’s no longer on a collision course with Earth, there’s still a 4 percent chance it could crash into ...

Depending on whether the asteroid hits the near side of the moon —a 50-50 chance assuming it hits it at all — about 10 percent of the debris, about 100 million kilograms, ranging in size from ...

If those odds play out, NewScientist reports that a direct impact could "shower Earth with a cloud of satellite-destroying shrapnel." The study concluded that, if the asteroid hits the moon, the ...