Asteroids are rocky celestial bodies that revolve around the Sun, just like planets. Most of the asteroids in our solar system are locate in the main asteroid belt, the region between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
These asteroids are remnants from the formation of the solar system around 4.6 billion years ago.
And most of them do not pose a threat to Earth, they can cause catastrophe in case of an impact on the planet.
To raise awareness about the asteroid impact hazards, International Asteroid Day is observe on 30th June.
History of International Asteroid Day
On 30th June was designate as the International Asteroid Day by the United Nations to observe the anniversary of the Tunguska asteroid’s impact over Siberia.
This event took place on 30th June, 1908, in Siberia, and is known as the largest asteroid impact Earth had witness in record history.
As per NASA :
“The only entry of a large meteoroid into Earth’s atmosphere in modern history with firsthand accounts was the Tunguska event of 1908.”
The United Nations General Assembly adopt a resolution in December 2016 and declare 30th June as the International Asteroid Day.
What are Asteroids?
Asteroids are irregular rocky bodies that revolve around the sun but are much smaller than planets, as per NASA.
They are airless celestial bodies that are remnants left over from the early formation of our solar system.
Our solar system consist with these rocky bodies, most of which are locate in the main asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
Many asteroids whizz past our planet safely, but some can get quite close to the Earth’s orbit.
These are term as Near-Earth objects (NEO) and can pose catastrophic threats to the planet.
NASA closely monitors these NEOs and according to its Center for NEO studies, there are more than 16,000 Near Earth asteroids discover.
How is International Asteroid Day celebrated?
International Asteroid Day is aim at sensitising people on the dangers of an asteroid impact and familiarising them with the crisis communication actions that must be taken in such an event.
Many organisations hold events to educate people on asteroids and the risks they pose.
You can view NASA’s special event held to commemorate last year’s International Asteroid Day, where the space agency and experts shared knowledge about asteroids and answered queries related to the interstellar bodies.
