Asteroid Day is celebrated on June 30 every year to mark the anniversary of the most devastating impact in Earth’s recent history- 1908 Tunguska asteroid impact. All over the world 30th June is celebrated as Asteroid Day by setting up programs and events to make the event.
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 the 1908 Tunguska asteroid impact?
On 30 June 1908, a small asteroid struck the Earth over Tunguska in Siberia. The Tunguska meteor is known to be the largest natural object to ever enter the Earth’s atmosphere. It reportedly flattened 2,000 square kilometers of forest.
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.
Asteroid Day’s major partners include: Association of Space Explorers, B612 Foundation, Broadcasting Center Europe, EC GROUP, European Space Agency, Luxembourg Space Agency, OHB SE, and SES. Asteroid Day, Asteroid Day LIVE, Asteroid Day TV and SpaceConnectsUs are all programmes of Asteroid Foundation, a Luxembourg based non-profit.
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.
How will Asteroid Day will be celebrated in 2020?
As coronavirus pandemic has taken over the work, this year the celebration will be fully digital and will include panel discussion and interviews with astronauts and world experts.
Join in the Asteroid Day conversation on Social Media!
- Hashtags: #AsteroidDay #Luxembourg
- Website: AsteroidDay.org
- Twitter: @asteroidday
- Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/asteroidday
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/AsteroidDay
- YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/asteroidday
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asteroidday
