Date: Tuesday, 30 June 2026; 10th Annual Day.
Coordinator: The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
Objectives:
International Asteroid Day is observed every year with the following key goals:
- Increase public understanding of the dangers posed by asteroid impacts and highlight the importance of preparing for and reducing risks from near-Earth objects.
- Encourage the responsible and sustainable use of outer space, emphasizing peaceful cooperation among nations.
- Acknowledge the critical contributions of space science and technology in advancing sustainable development and ensuring the safety of our planet.
Inception:
The inaugural International Asteroid Day took place on June 30, 2017, marking the beginning of this annual global initiative.
History:
Asteroid Day was founded through the collaboration of prominent figures from various fields, including astrophysicist and renowned musician Dr. Brian May of the rock band Queen, Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart, filmmaker Grig Richters, and Danica Remy, President of the B612 Foundation. Their initiative received strong support from the Association of Space Explorers and the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).
On December 6, 2016, the United Nations General Assembly formally designated June 30 as International Asteroid Day to be observed annually at the international level, in accordance with resolution A/RES/71/90, aimed at raising global awareness about the risks associated with asteroid impacts.
The chosen date commemorates the anniversary of the largest recorded asteroid impact on Earth—the Tunguska event in Siberia, Russian Federation, which occurred on June 30, 1908.
In 2024, the General Assembly also proclaimed 2029 as the International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defense, further emphasizing the ongoing commitment to planetary protection and public education.
Background
Near-Earth objects (NEOs) are asteroids and comets whose orbits bring them within 1.3 astronomical units (about 195 million kilometers) of the Sun—close enough to potentially cross Earth’s path. Of particular concern are NEOs that approach within 0.05 astronomical units of Earth’s orbit (roughly 7.5 million kilometers) and measure more than 140 meters across, as these objects could cause catastrophic damage should a collision with our planet occur.
NASA’s Center for NEO Studies reports that over 36,000 Near-Earth Asteroids have been discovered so far. The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) has recognized the threat posed by NEOs as a challenge that transcends national borders, requiring a coordinated international response. For many years, UNOOSA has advocated for global cooperation and preparedness to address the potential risks NEOs pose to public safety worldwide.
Official website: https://www.un.org/en/observances/asteroid-day
