India, Sept. 30 -- After evaluating several strategies, scientists have suggested a bold, unconventional approach to stop the "city killer" asteroid 2024 YR4 from colliding with the Moon - using nuclear explosives to destroy it.

This unusual proposal, aimed at preventing a potential lunar impact, was recently detailed in a study on the arXiv preprint server, which has not yet been peer-reviewed. Even if the asteroid misses the Moon, a reconnaissance mission to examine it would still offer significant scientific value.

The research team, which includes NASA experts, noted that "nuclear robust disruption missions" could be deployed in as little as four years, between 2029 to 2031.

First observed in December 2024, asteroid YR4 caused glob...