Get ready for some news that’s out of this world.

An asteroid known as 2024 YR4 could be on course to make contact with the moon—and such an impact wouldn’t come without consequence, according to an academic research paper published Sept. 15.

If the collision does occur, it could cause debris “up to 1,000 times above background levels over just a few days, possibly threatening astronauts and spacecraft” in low-Earth orbit, nearly two dozen researchers wrote.

One potential response proposed in the paper—which has yet to be peer-reviewed—is to destroy the asteroid with what is called a “robust disruption,” though such a move would require further understanding of the space rock’s mass, according to the research.

Fortunately, there’s still time for scientists to assess the best course o

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