World Asteroid Day, celebrated annually on June 30th, aims to increase public understanding of asteroids and the potential threats they pose. The day is dedicated to educating the public about space science, the risks of asteroid impacts, and the need for constant space monitoring. Officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 2016, the date of June 30th was chosen to commemorate the 1908 Tunguska event, where a significant asteroid exploded over Russia. This initiative was spearheaded by Dr. Brian May, film director Gregg Richter, and various astronauts and researchers. The core goal of World Asteroid Day is to highlight the scientific and astronomical importance of asteroids, as well as the necessity of identifying and monitoring Near-Earth Objects (NEOs). It also spotlights planetary protection missions carried out by agencies like NASA and ESA. From a scientific perspective, studying asteroids provides crucial information about the early solar system because they contain ancient materials. Detecting dangerous asteroids promptly can also prevent collisions, potentially saving Earth. On this day, space agencies, educational establishments, and science centers globally conduct online seminars, lectures, and educational workshops. Experts often discuss missions such as NASA’s DART and ESA’s Hera, which concentrate on techniques to deflect asteroids. World Asteroid Day 2025 serves as a reminder of Earth’s susceptibility to space-based dangers and underscores the importance of ongoing scientific endeavors, observations, and global cooperation in ensuring our planet’s safety.
