World Asteroid Day 2024 Date, History, and Significance

Asteroid Day 2024

World Asteroid Day, Saturday, June 30, 2024: World Asteroid Day, observed annually on June 30, is a global event aimed at raising awareness about asteroids and the potential hazards they pose to our planet. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of scientific research and international collaboration in detecting and mitigating asteroid impacts.

World Asteroid Day commemorates the anniversary of the Tunguska event in 1908. This event was caused by an asteroid or comet fragment exploding over Siberia, Russia, flattening around 2,000 square kilometers of forest. The United Nations officially declared World Asteroid Day in 2016 to raise awareness about the potential hazards of asteroid impacts.

The day was established through the efforts of astrophysicist Dr. Brian May, filmmaker Grig Richters, Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart, and B612 Foundation president Danica Remy. Their goal was to inform the public about the dangers of asteroids and encourage global efforts to study and mitigate these risks.

The World Asteroid Day aims to:

1. Raise Awareness: Inform people about the potential threat of asteroid impacts and the importance of detecting and tracking Near-Earth Objects (NEOs).

2. Educate: Provide information on asteroids' roles in the solar system and the scientific research focused on them.

3. Promote Collaboration: Foster international cooperation in planetary defense efforts, bringing together scientists, governments, and space agencies to develop strategies for preventing or mitigating asteroid collisions.

4. Inspire: Highlight the work of scientists and researchers, encouraging future generations to pursue careers in space science and technology.