World Asteroid Day

World Asteroid Day is celebrated every year on June 30 to commemorate the Tunguska event that occurred in 1908 in Siberia, Russia. The United Nations officially adopted the day in 2016 by passing a resolution. The aim of World Asteroid Day is to educate people about asteroids and what the result of them hitting the Earth’s surface can be.

This day is annually celebrated as a global event by all United Nations member countries. In this article, we have shared the necessary details about World Asteroid Day, its theme, its history and origin, and its significance.

World Asteroid Day 2023

The world celebrated June 30 as Asteroid Day to raise awareness about asteroids. This day also marks the 1908 Tunguska event, during which a meteor burst on the surface of the Earth and leveled 2,150 square kilometers of forest land in Siberia, Russia. World Asteroid Day is an occasion for world governments to work on a plan to handle any unwanted calamity such as the Tunguska event.

International Asteroid Day 2023 Theme

The theme of World Asteroid Day 2023 is yet to be announced. Every year, the United Nations organizes several events on this day to raise awareness about asteroids and the calamity they can bring upon hitting the Earth. World Asteroid Day theme also revolves around the same message.

International Asteroid Day 2022 theme was “Small is Beautiful”. This theme aimed to convey the message that asteroids, when viewed from the Earth through telescopes, appear small. As long as they appear small, they are beautiful. However, when in close proximity to Earth, they may be big and dangerous.

Asteroid Day History

The history of World Asteroid Day can be traced back to 2014 when the day was officially founded. The motive for establishing this day was to make people aware of the scope of casualties that asteroids can bring to our planet. Here are more details about the history and origin of Asteroid Day.

• In 2013, the Chelyabinsk meteor air burst took place which prompted several scientists to establish International Asteroid Day.
• In 2014, the physicist Stephen Hawking, astrophysicist Brian May, Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart, B612 Foundation president Danica Remy, and filmmaker Grigorij Richters together launched the day.
• In 2016, the United Nations passed a resolution and adopted June 30 as Asteroid Day.

World Asteroid Day Significance

It is important to observe World Asteroid Day because it raises awareness about asteroids and the threat they can carry. Previously, the 1908 Tunguska event and the 2013 Chelyabinsk event left the world shaken by the impact of the meteor burst. Here is why Asteroid Day is significant.

• Celebrating this day annually reminds people of the impact of asteroids that have previously been felt on Earth.
• International Asteroid Day raises awareness that asteroids can potentially cause harm to human life, properties, and resources.
• Asteroid Day can be an occasion for world governments to make plans for the protection of the Earth.

International Asteroid Day Celebration

Asteroid Day is a big event that is observed around the world ever since the United Nations adopted it in 2016. Hundreds of countries participate in the celebration of this day every year. Here is how people celebrate World Asteroid Day.

• By educating themselves and others about asteroids.
• By joining conferences, seminars, and other educational events conducted by important organizations.
• By contributing to research in the areas of asteroids.
• Participate in the online campaign on World Asteroid Day.

FAQs on World Asteroid Day

Q1. When is World Asteroid Day celebrated?

World Asteroid Day is celebrated on June 30 every year. Established in 2016 by the United Nations, this day aims to raise awareness about asteroids and their potential impact on the Earth. Asteroid Day is also a day to think about how we can protect our planet from asteroids.

Q2. What is the theme of World Asteroid Day 2023?

World Asteroid Day 2023 theme is yet to be announced by the United Nations. Every year on this day, a new theme is announced that revolves around asteroids and exploring their impact. The theme of Asteroid Day 2023 is expected to be out shortly.

Q3. Who started World Asteroid Day and when?

World Asteroid Day was started by a group of renowned scientists, and other personalities in the year 2014. The founders of Asteroid Day are listed as follows.

• Physicist Stephen Hawking
• Astrophysicist Brian May
• Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart
• B612 Foundation president Danica Remy
• Filmmaker Grigorij Richters

Q4. Why do we celebrate World Asteroid Day?

We celebrate World Asteroid Day to educate one another about asteroids and other similar celestial objects. Asteroids and meteors can potentially be dangerous to human life and resources. Therefore, it is important to observe Asteroid Day and raise awareness about the same.

Q5. What was the World Asteroid Day 2022 theme?

The theme of World Asteroid Day 2022 was “Small is Beautiful”. The message of this theme was that asteroids when viewed from the Earth through telescopes, appear small and beautiful. However, in close proximity to Earth, they may be big and dangerous.

Q6. How to celebrate World Asteroid Day?

There are many ways to celebrate World Asteroid Day, some of which are as follows.

• Joining conferences, seminars, and other educational events on asteroids.
• Contribute to research in the areas of asteroids.
• Participate in the online campaign on World Asteroid Day.
• Educating yourself and others about asteroids.