World Asteroid Day, aka International Asteroid Day, is observed on June 30 every year, as it is the anniversary of the Siberian Tunguska event of 1908. It is an UN-sanctioned global awareness campaign event. Tunguska is the largest asteroid to date that has affected the earth.
The day is observed to raise awareness about the hazardous effects of the asteroid and it also suggested the safety measures that could be followed in case of a near-Earth object threat.
The space is full of mesmerizing mysteries and discoveries. There are many fascinating celestial objects in space and one of them is Asteroids. An asteroid is a small, rocky object that revolves around the sun, like planets. These are also known as the leftover objects of the Solar System. They are largely found between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Their size ranges from the size of a small pebble to around 600 miles.
HISTORY of World Asteroid Day:
In December 2016, the UN adopted a resolution A/RES/71/90 and it declared June 30 as World Asteroid Day. June 30 was the date because it is the anniversary of Tunguska impact over Siberia, a Russian Federation.
The decision was proposed by the Association of Space Explorers and the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and later, the United Nations General Assembly took its decision.
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Co-founders of the day were scientist Stephen Hawking, filmmaker Grigorij Richters, B612 Foundation President, Danica Remy, Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart and Brian May.
HOW the day is celebrated:
On this day, several space agencies from all around the world organize events to educate people about the impact of an asteroid and meteors. These agencies are – European Space Agency (ESA), Roscosmos, Russia, the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), USA.
This year, the event would be organized through virtual modes and it is expected that the local organizers would organize it. It would include interviews with scientists and space experts, which would increase the knowledge about asteroids. They would also explain, what future stores for asteroid research and planetary defense.