It is celebrated every year on June 30, the anniversary of the 1908 event – the impact of the so-called Tunguska Asteroid, which was the most destructive asteroid-related event in modern history. This disaster was caused by the impact of an asteroid that did not disintegrate in the atmosphere, exploded 5 to 10 km above the Earth's surface and completely devastated an area of ​​2,150 km2 in the area of ​​central Siberia near the Podkamennaya Tunguska River.

Asteroids are small solar system bodies that orbit the Sun. Most of them are located in the main asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. If asteroids are tracked and their orbits are known, potential threats can be detected early and options exist to address these threats.

Asteroid Day is a commemorative day of the United Nations, declared by a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on June 30. Its goal and main message is to draw attention to the importance of observing the orbits of asteroids, to raise awareness of these bodies and the possible threats they may pose, as well as what can be done to protect the Earth, humanity and future generations from a possible catastrophic event.

Did you know that this holiday also has its own international website? https://asteroidday.org

Jana Bojanovská, June 2024