Latest news with #ATLAS
New York Post
11-06-2025
- Science
- New York Post
Odds of ‘city-killer' asteroid hitting the Moon go up again
A 'city-killer' asteroid that, until a few months ago, was believed to be a threat to Earth is increasingly looking like it could crash into the Moon in 2032. Asteroid 2024 YR4 was discovered on Dec. 27 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope in Río Hurtado, Chile. Advertisement Since its discovery, the asteroid has warranted international attention, jumping to the highest asteroid threat on the Torino Impact Hazard Scale. In February, new ground-based observations dropped those chances of an Earth impact enough that asteroid 2024 YR4 is no longer considered a threat to Earth. The international astronomy community continues to closely watch asteroid 2024 YR4, which is no longer visible through ground-based telescopes until 2028. In May, a team led by Andy Rivkin, with Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland, used the James Webb Space Telescope's (JWST) Near-Infrared Camera to hone in on 2024 YR4. Advertisement 4 Asteroid 2024 YR4 has a slight chance of hitting the Moon in 2032. NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/R. Proctor / SWNS 4 An animation showing the asteroid passing the Earth and heading too the Moon. AP JWST data, along with expert analysis from NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies, have refined the asteroid's orbit, increasing the chances of a crash with the Moon on Dec. 22, 2032, from 3.8% to 4.3%. In February, the odds of a Moon impact were about 1.7%. Advertisement However, NASA said if the asteroid does collide with the Moon, it will not alter its orbit. The Moon is covered in crater impacts from other space collisions. 4 The international astronomy community continues to closely watch asteroid 2024 YR4, which is no longer visible through ground-based telescopes until 2028. NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/R. Proctor / SWNS 4 The James Webb Telescope captured images of the asteroid in the darkness of space. NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Andy Rivkin (APL) Advertisement Previous observations by JWST helped determine 2024 YR4 is about 200 feet wide, or about the height of a 15-story building, Rivkin wrote in an April blog post for NASA. Asteroid 2024 YR4 has dipped behind the Sun and beyond Webb's view for now.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Odds of asteroid 2024 YR4 hitting the Moon go up again
An asteroid that, until a few months ago, was believed to be a threat to Earth is increasingly looking like it could crash into the Moon in 2032. Asteroid 2024 YR4 was discovered on Dec. 27 by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope in Río Hurtado, Chile. Since its discovery, the asteroid has warranted international attention, jumping to the highest asteroid threat on the Torino Impact Hazard Scale. Chances Asteroid 2024 Yr4 Will Hit Moon Increase But Earth Remains In The Clear In February, new ground-based observations dropped those chances of an Earth impact enough that asteroid 2024 YR4 is no longer considered a threat to Earth. The international astronomy community continues to closely watch asteroid 2024 YR4, which is no longer visible through ground-based telescopes until 2028. In May, a team led by Andy Rivkin, with Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland, used the James Webb Space Telescope's (JWST) Near-Infrared Camera to hone in on 2024 YR4. JWST data, along with expert analysis from Nasa's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies, have refined the asteroid's orbit, increasing the chances of a crash with the Moon on Dec. 22, 2032, from 3.8% to 4.3%. In February, the odds of a Moon impact were about 1.7%. However, NASA said if the asteroid does collide with the Moon, it will not alter its orbit. The Moon is covered in crater impacts from other space collisions. Previous observations by JWST helped determine 2024 YR4 is about 200 feet wide, or about the height of a 15-story building, Rivkin wrote in an April blog post for NASA. Asteroid 2024 YR4 has dipped behind the Sun and beyond Webb's view for article source: Odds of asteroid 2024 YR4 hitting the Moon go up again
Gizmodo
10-06-2025
- Science
- Gizmodo
NASA Raises Odds of Asteroid Smacking the Moon in 2032
The odds of an asteroid the size of a 10-story building slamming into the Moon in 2032 have risen slightly, according to NASA. On June 5, the agency announced that Asteroid 2024 YR4 now has a 4.3% chance of lunar impact—up from 3.8%. This infamous space rock caused quite a stir earlier this year when initial data suggested it could collide with Earth in about eight years. But as scientists gathered more data, it became clear that this asteroid posed no threat to our planet. There's still a chance, however, that 2024 YR4 could hit the Moon. New observations from the James Webb Space Telescope allowed scientists to refine the asteroid's orbit, leading to this tiny increase in the odds of a lunar impact. 'As data comes in, it is normal for the impact probability to evolve,' NASA's announcement states. When the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in Chile first discovered 2024 YR4 in December 2024, NASA flagged it as a potentially hazardous object almost immediately. Initial calculations indicated that this asteroid had about a 1% chance of hitting Earth on December 22, 2032. Over the next few weeks, those odds alarmingly climbed to nearly 3% before ultimately settling back down to zero by late February. At the time it was discovered, 2024 YR4 was roughly 515,116 miles (829,000 kilometers) from Earth. Since then, it's moved farther away. By mid-April, the asteroid was too distant to be observed by ground-based telescopes. It won't make another close approach to Earth until June 2028, but Webb's infrared capabilities allowed scientists to observe this space rock for about a month after it drifted beyond the reach of terrestrial technology. Researchers led by Andy Rivkin, a planetary astronomer at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, have been using Webb's Near-Infrared Camera to observe 2024 YR4 and assess its damage potential, even as it moved away from view. In May, they captured one last observation of this space rock before it disappeared behind the Sun. This additional data improved their prediction of where the asteroid will be on December 22, 2032 by 20%, according to NASA. The odds of 2024 YR4 colliding with the Moon are still (relatively) low. And even if it does crash into the lunar surface, the impact would not alter the Moon's orbit, NASA states. Webb's observations have also helped researchers refine measurements of the asteroid's size, finding that it is approximately 174 to 220 feet (53 to 67 meters) wide, which is relatively small for an asteroid. A direct hit would likely result in nothing more than a new crater. But that's not to say this event wouldn't be significant. Anticipating a lunar impact would give scientists a rare opportunity to observe a crater being formed in real-time, assuming it hits the Moon's Earth-facing side. And even though 2024 YR4 no longer poses any risk to our planet, discovering it allowed scientists to practice planetary defense strategies, which could prove to be life-saving someday. NASA is already making plans for when the asteroid swings back by Earth in 2028, according to the June 5 statement. More observations from both ground-based telescopes and Webb could help scientists gather more information about the asteroid's shape and composition, which are important elements of its behavior and potential impact effects. Until then, we'll just have to wish this troublemaking space traveler farewell.
Al Etihad
10-06-2025
- Science
- Al Etihad
European Space Agency's new asteroid hunter opens its eye to sky
10 June 2025 12:03 SICILY (ALETIHAD) The European Space Agency's (ESA) newest planetary defender has opened its 'eye' to the cosmos for the first time. The Flyeye telescope's 'first light' marks the beginning of a new chapter in how to scan the skies for new near-Earth asteroids and by an insect's compound eye, ESA and OHB Italia designed Flyeye to capture a region of the sky more than 200 times as large as the full Moon in a single exposure – much larger than a conventional will use this wide field of view to automatically survey the sky each night independent from human operation and identify new asteroids that could pose a hazard to Earth. 'In the future, a network of up to four Flyeye telescopes spread across the northern and southern hemispheres will work together to further improve the speed and completeness these automatic sky surveys and to reduce the dependence on good weather at any individual site,' said ESA's Ernesto Doelling, Flyeye Project Manager.'The earlier we spot potentially hazardous asteroids, the more time we have to assess them and, if necessary, prepare a response,' said Richard Moissl, Head of ESA's Planetary Defence Office. 'ESA's Flyeye telescopes will be an early-warning system, and their discoveries will be shared with the global planetary defence community.'ESA's Near-Earth Object Coordination Centre (NEOCC) will verify any potential new asteroid detections made by the Flyeye telescopes and submit the findings to the Minor Planet Centre, Earth's hub for asteroid observational data. Astronomers, including experts from the NEOCC, will then carry out follow-up observations to further assess the hazard that the object may Aceti, Managing Director at OHB Italia, explained, 'The unique optical design of the Flyeye telescope is optimised for conducting large sky surveys while maintaining high image quality throughout the wide field of view."He added that the telescope is equipped with a one-metre primary mirror, which efficiently captures incoming light. This light is then divided into 16 separate channels, each equipped with a camera capable of detecting very faint objects. This enables simultaneous high-sensitivity observations over a large region of the sky. During operations, Flyeye's observation schedule will be optimised to consider factors such as Moon brightness and the work of other survey telescopes such as the NASA-funded ATLAS telescopes, the Zwicky Transient Facility and the upcoming Vera Rubin Telescope.
The Sun
06-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Introducing ATLAS: Malaysia's pioneering Shariah-compliant digital bank by Bank Muamalat
BANK Muamalat Malaysia Berhad (Bank Muamalat) today officially launched ATLAS by Bank Muamalat, Malaysia's first Islamic digital-only bank designed around faith and lifestyle alignment. Purpose-built to offer a seamless, Shariah-compliant banking experience, ATLAS combines innovative financial technology with lifestyle features tailored for the faith-conscious and tech-savvy generation. The launch marks a transformative milestone in Bank Muamalat's journey to redefine Islamic banking and positions the Bank as a pioneer in Malaysia's rapidly growing digital banking landscape. It is a key component of the Bank's five-year RISE26+ Strategy, which aims to revolutionize the financial ecosystem through innovation, operational resilience, and Shariah leadership. Designed from the ground up to meet evolving consumer expectations, ATLAS blends digital convenience with spiritual enrichment, creating a holistic financial ecosystem for the modern Muslim. A distinctively Islamic, faith-centric experience ATLAS stands apart from mainstream digital banking offerings by delivering a uniquely Islamic, faith-centered experience. The platform integrates features such as real-time Prayer Times, Daily Doa, Islamic Calendar, Zikir Counter, Kiblat Finder, as well as dedicated services for Zakat and Qurban — all thoughtfully crafted to support customers in living a values-driven and faith-aligned lifestyle. 'ATLAS was built for people — to deliver not just financial solutions, but meaningful digital experiences that align with our customers' values and daily needs. It represents the next evolution of Islamic banking: intuitive, inclusive, and deeply personal,' said Khairul Kamarudin, President and CEO of Bank Muamalat. Khairul also highlighted ATLAS's role in expanding financial inclusion by reaching underserved and unbanked communities, particularly younger Malaysians, thereby contributing to sustainable national growth. Powered by leading global technology partners Developed in partnership with global technology leaders including Mambu, Google Cloud, Backbase, HyperQB, and Kestrl, ATLAS delivers a secure, scalable, and user-centric digital banking experience. These collaborations ensure the platform adheres to world-class standards for performance, data privacy, and customer engagement. Fast onboarding and exclusive launch offers ATLAS employs a digital-first approach, enabling users to activate accounts and start transacting within minutes through instant onboarding. Soon, the platform will introduce the virtual ATLAS x Mastercard Debit Card-i, granting immediate access to secure, Shariah-compliant digital payments. To encourage early adoption, ATLAS is offering an exclusive 5% profit rate for the first three months to early users — a limited-time, high-yield Shariah-compliant savings incentive (terms and conditions apply). Innovative savings and financial planning features The platform features profit-generating savings accounts with daily earnings. Upcoming enhancements will include flexible Savings Pouch tools and personalized financial planning features designed to promote purposeful money management in alignment with spiritual values. Availability ATLAS is now available for download on the Apple App Store, with the Google Play Store version coming soon. Join the journey to better More than just a banking app, ATLAS is your digital companion for financial and spiritual growth. With innovation at its core and values at its heart, ATLAS sets a new benchmark in Islamic digital banking.
