International Asteroid Day, also known as Asteroid Day, is an annual global observance held on June 30. The day also marks the anniversary of the Tunguska event in 1908 when a meteor air burst levelled about 2,150 km2 (830 sq mi) of forest in Siberia, Russia. The Tunguska asteroid event in Siberia, Russian Federation, on 30 June 1908, was the Earth's largest asteroid impact in recorded history. In 2016, the United Nations proclaimed Asteroid Day be observed globally on June 30 every year. The event aims to raise awareness about asteroids and what can be done to protect the Earth, its families, communities, and future generations from a catastrophic event. On International Asteroid Day, let us know more about the history and significance of the day to mark the anniversary of the Tunguska event. Will the World End in 14 Years? NASA Asteroid Warning 2024 Post Recent Exercise Reveals Shocking Doomsday Scenario. 

International Asteroid Day 2024 Date

International Asteroid Day 2024 is observed on Sunday, June 30.

International Asteroid Day History

Asteroid Day was cofounded in 2014 by physicist Stephen Hawking, B612 Foundation president Danica Remy, Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart, filmmaker Grigorij Richters, and Queen guitarist and astrophysicist Brian May. It was Remy, Schweickart, Richters, and May who initiated Asteroid Day in October 2014. The day was launched on December 3, 2014.

In December 2016, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/71/90 and declared June 30 as International Asteroid Day. It said that they day has to be observed each year at the international level to mark the anniversary of the Tunguska impact over Siberia, Russian Federation, on June 30, 1908, and raise public awareness about the asteroid impact hazard. The decision of the UNGA was made based on a proposal by the Association of Space Explorers, which was endorsed by Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).

International Asteroid Day Significance

Asteroid Day holds great significance as it raises public awareness about the risks of asteroid impacts. The mission of the day is to educate the public about the risks and opportunities of asteroids year-round by hosting events, providing resources and regular communications with global audience. On this day, schools, universities, and science centers usually organise lectures, workshops, seminars and exhibitions to educate people about asteroids and space science.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 30, 2024 07:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).