Celebrate June 30 as Asteroid Day and learn about impact awareness

On June 30, the global community recognizes Asteroid Day, established to promote awareness regarding the potential threat that asteroids pose to Earth. This date commemorates the Tunguska event, which occurred in Russia in 1908 when an asteroid exploded in the atmosphere, devastating 770 square miles of forest. The event serves as a reminder of the risks that space rocks present and the importance of prevention measures. In 2014, Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart, along with Danica Remy from the B612 Foundation and musician Brian May, initiated Asteroid Day to educate the public about asteroids and engage communities in scientific discussions about planetary defense. This year's events are being held at Meteor Crater in Arizona, where several prominent figures in the scientific community will discuss asteroids, how they are detected, and their potential impacts on Earth. The program includes information on previous asteroid impacts and exhibitions highlighting historical events such as the Tunguska incident and the Chelyabinsk airburst in 2013. Additionally, activities will encourage public participation in observing the night sky and interacting with experts, which merges educational elements with enjoyable community engagement. Anticipation surrounds asteroid Apophis, a large asteroid projected to make a close flyby of Earth on April 13, 2029. Measuring as wide as the Empire State Building is tall, this event will provide a rare opportunity for scientists to gather data on assessing nearby threats. Although there are concerns regarding its size, experts have clarified that Apophis is not a threat during this pass, but it allows for critical data collection to better understand close-approach asteroids in the future. Fortunately, Asteroid Day serves as an annual reminder to prioritize research and safety measures related to potential collisions with Earth. The theme of this year's Asteroid Day focuses on combining science with stargazing. Various programs are scheduled throughout the day, while evening activities will be hosted by the Lowell Observatory. Events aim to educate attendees about the work astronomers do to search for asteroids and prepare for potential future threats. Overall, Asteroid Day emphasizes collaboration and raises awareness of the critical need for ongoing asteroid research as humanity strives to advance its understanding of the cosmos.