International Asteroid Day 2020: The Asteroid Day is on June 30 but no asteroid is going to fly close to Earth on that day, but it is reportedly said that an asteroid will make close approach to Earth a day before and after Asteroid Day.
The 2020 JX1 asteroid, between 47 metres to 100 metres in diameter and will make close approach at 17,784 kilometres per hour (kmph), it is said that it will fly past earth on June 29.
Another asteroid called 2019 AC3 will also perform a flyby on July 1. Which is going to be smaller and will only measure between 9.2 metres to 21 metres in diameter and slower at speed of 12,060 kmph. But, June 30, we will be free of asteroid threats.
International Asteroid Day 2020: History, Significance, 5 things you need to know about the day
What is an Asteroid?
An asteroid is a minor planet that did not evolve fully when the Solar System was born. There are millions of asteroids in existence that orbit the Sun, though most are in the main asteroid belt, a region between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. They are not of the same size and shape because they are formed in different locations at different distances from the sun. They are made up of different kinds of rocks, but some contain clay or metal, such as nickel and iron.
What is an Asteroid Day?
Co-founded by an astrophysicist, Dr Brian May, Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart, filmmaker Grig Richters, and B612 Foundation President Danica Remy, Asteroid Day is a dynamic educational program to inspire the world about asteroids.
On this day, experts talk on how we can use asteroid’s resources, how they can pave the way for future exploration and how we can protect our planet from asteroid impacts. The program is run by the Asteroid Foundation, a Luxembourg nonprofit organization.
History of International Asteroid Day:
The United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/71/90 on December 2016 and declared June 30 as International Asteroid Day. It is an annual global event that is held on the anniversary of the Tunguska impact over Siberia, Russian Federation that took place on June 30, 1908. It was the most harmful known asteroid-related event on Earth as it destroyed local plants and animals.
Significance of International Asteroid Day:
The day is marked to raise public awareness about the devastating impact an asteroid has when it crashes to Earth. It also highlights the importance of identifying the objects that pose a threat to the planet, and to educate the people on what to do if such a situation arises.
