An asteroid is a minor planet that didn’t develop entirely when the Solar System was born. Millions of asteroids exist in the orbit of the Sun, most of them are in the central asteroid belt, the area between the Mars and Jupiter orbits. They are of diverse size and shape because they are created in different locations and different distances from the Sun. They are formed of different kinds of rocks but contain clay or metal, such as nickel and iron.
There have been several reports about asteroids speeding past Earth, with almost the size of a football field. Just at the beginning of June 2020, there were reports of five asteroids passing by Earth, continuously, followed by a larger one recently. The fly-by, by the heavenly bodies, seems apt as International Asteroid Day is celebrated on June 30, every year. Surprisingly, no asteroid will fly anywhere near Earth on June 30, we will be free of any kind of asteroid threats.
History of International Asteroid Day:
In December 2016, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution A/RES/71/90 and declared 30 June as International Asteroid Day to observe annually the anniversary of the Tunguska impact over Siberia, Russian Federation, on 30 June, 1908 at an international level to raise awareness about the hazardous impact of Asteroids. Let us tell you that the General Assembly’s decision was made on the basis of a proposal made by the Association of Space Explorers, which was endorsed by Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).
Asteroid Day was co-founded by astrophysicist and lead guitarist of QUEEN Dr. Brian May together with Danica Remy, President of B612 Foundation, Rusty Schweickart, Apollo 9 Astronaut, and filmmaker Grig Richters, to promote awareness and provide knowledge to the general public about the importance of asteroids in the formation of our universe and the role they play in our solar system today.
There is an organization named B612 that works towards protecting the Earth from asteroid impacts, informing and forwarding worldwide decision making on planetary defense issues.
Significance of International Asteroid Day:
World Asteroid Day or International Asteroid Day raises awareness about the devastating impact of an asteroid when it crashes to the Earth. The role of asteroids in the formation of our universe, how their resources can be used in the future, how asteroids provide the way for future exploration, and also how we can protect our planet from the impacts of asteroids.
Therefore, asteroids are rocky objects that are found orbiting around the Sun and also between the planets Mars and Jupiter’s. It is necessary to understand about asteroids hazardous impacts. So, for this World Asteroid Day is celebrated across the globe to educate people about the asteroids and their impacts
