International Asteroid Day

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2023 Date30 June 2023
2024 Date30 June 2024

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International Asteroid Day

International Asteroid Day is an annual event that aims to raise awareness about the dangers posed by asteroids and the need to develop strategies to protect our planet from potential impacts. The inception of International Asteroid Day can be traced back to 1908, when a massive asteroid strike occurred in the Tunguska region of Siberia, Russia, causing massive explosions that leveled forests and caused widespread damage. The incident served as a wake-up call, highlighting the danger posed by space rocks and increasing interest in asteroid research.

In 2016, the United Nations declared June 30th as International Asteroid Day, calling on countries to raise awareness about the risks posed by asteroids and to promote space exploration and asteroid detection strategies. Since then, the day has been marked by a range of activities worldwide, bringing together scientists, researchers, and policymakers to collaborate on strategies to mitigate the risks of asteroid strikes.

In Australia, the event is celebrated by a range of activities, including educational programs in schools and community events aimed at educating people about the risks associated with asteroids and the importance of space exploration. The day is also marked with public lectures, documentaries, and exhibitions across the country. International Asteroid Day is observed annually on June 30th.

Top Tweets for International Asteroid Day -

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International Asteroid Day facts

  • According to theplanets.org, there are more than 600,000 known asteroids in our solar system.
  • The word asteroid was coined by astronomer William Herschel in 1802. It means star like.
  • One of the most well-known asteroid impact craters in Australia is the Wolfe Creek Crater, located in Western Australia. It is estimated to be around 300,000 years old and approximately 875 meters in diameter. The crater was formed by a meteorite impact, which was likely an iron asteroid weighing more than 50,000 tons
  • Another notable asteroid impact site in Australia is the Henbury Crater Field, located in the Northern Territory. The 12 craters in this field are estimated to be about 4,700 years old and were formed by an asteroid breaking apart before impact.

Top things to do in Australia for International Asteroid Day

  • Tune into the 2021 Asteroid Day program. The program will include interviews with different personnel, it will explore how technologies have changed, and it will explore what the future has in store for asteroid research.
  • Stay informed about upcoming news and events. Asteroid Day periodically posts information about new asteroids that catch NASA's eye. They also feature virtual events or webinars with astronomers and scientists.
  • Watch a documentary about Australian space initiatives. Here are some recommendations:
    1. The Dish (2000) - A comedy-drama based on the true story of Australia's involvement in the Apollo 11 moon landing mission.
    2. Australia's Space Race (2020) - This documentary looks into the burgeoning Australian space industry and the possibilities it holds for space exploration and asteroid-related research.
  • Read a book to learn more about asteroids in Australia. Here are our suggestions:
    1. The Geology of Australia by David Johnson
    2. Impact Craters in Australia by Andrew Glikson
    3. Australia's Meteorite Craters by Alex Bevan and Ken McNamara

References and related sites

asteroidday.org: International Asteroid Day
theplanets.org: Facts about Asteroids

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