International Asteroid Day – Jun. 30, 2027

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International Asteroid Day on June 30 has everyone looking toward the skies to raise awareness about the threat of asteroid impacts. This day encourages global collaboration to increase asteroid discovery rates and develop planetary defense strategies. Join scientists, educators, and space enthusiasts in understanding and mitigating cosmic risks.

Want to sponsor International Asteroid Day? Learn how

Expected International Asteroid Day Deals

International Asteroid Day focuses on global awareness and scientific collaboration rather than commercial deals. Organizations like the B612 Foundation and The Planetary Society often run fundraising campaigns and educational drives. Look for special online events, webinars, and virtual tours from institutions like NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA). Aerospace companies such as SpaceX and Lockheed Martin may highlight their contributions to space exploration and defense technologies. Educational platforms like Coursera or edX might offer discounts on astronomy and planetary science courses. We encourage direct donations to asteroid research and planetary defense initiatives, and we will update this page with confirmed live events as June 30 approaches.

Platform Guide for International Asteroid Day

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #AsteroidDay. Share breaking news, scientific discoveries, and expert opinions on planetary defense.

LinkedIn

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #InternationalAsteroidDay. Connect with professionals in aerospace, astronomy, and science communication.

YouTube

Subscribe to @NationalToday for holiday video content. Watch documentaries, interviews with scientists, and educational animations about asteroids and space safety.

Social Media Tips for International Asteroid Day

Individuals

Learn about asteroid science and planetary defense by watching documentaries, reading articles, or attending virtual events. Share educational content with friends and family to raise awareness.

Creators

Produce engaging videos or infographics explaining asteroid facts, impact risks, or the technology used for detection. Interview local astronomers or space enthusiasts.

Brands

Partner with scientific organizations or space museums to host educational events or offer themed products. Highlight your company's role in technology or innovation that supports space exploration.

Organizations & Brands for International Asteroid Day

  1. B612 Foundation

    Founded in 2002 by a group of scientists, astronauts, and engineers, the B612 Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting Earth from asteroid impacts. They advocate for asteroid detection and deflection technologies, aiming to map the orbits of all threatening asteroids.

  2. SpaceX

    Founded by Elon Musk in 2002, SpaceX designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. While known for commercial spaceflight, their technologies contribute to understanding and potentially mitigating space threats, including asteroid missions.

  3. Lockheed Martin

    A global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technologies company, Lockheed Martin has been a major player in space exploration and defense systems for decades. They develop technologies critical for space situational awareness and potential asteroid deflection missions.

  4. The Planetary Society

    Co-founded by Carl Sagan in 1980, The Planetary Society is the world's largest non-profit space advocacy organization. They fund innovative projects, advocate for space science and exploration, and educate the public about topics like asteroid detection and planetary defense.

  5. Astroscale

    Founded in 2013, Astroscale is a private company dedicated to space sustainability and debris removal. While not directly focused on asteroids, their work in active debris removal and on-orbit servicing contributes to a safer space environment, which is crucial for asteroid observation missions.

  6. Blue Origin

    Founded by Jeff Bezos in 2000, Blue Origin is an aerospace manufacturer and spaceflight services company. They are developing technologies for human spaceflight and exploration, which could eventually play a role in asteroid resource utilization or defense strategies.

  7. Celestron

    Founded in 1960, Celestron is a leading designer and manufacturer of high-quality telescopes, binoculars, and microscopes. Their products enable amateur astronomers and professionals alike to observe celestial objects, including asteroids, contributing to public engagement and scientific discovery.

International Asteroid Day Hero

Grig Richters

Grig Richters is a filmmaker and co-founder of Asteroid Day. His 2014 film '51 Degrees North,' which explored a hypothetical asteroid impact on London, inspired the creation of International Asteroid Day. Richters, alongside scientists and astronauts, established the day to raise global awareness about asteroid threats and promote planetary defense efforts.

International Asteroid Day timeline

March 22, 1989
4581 Asclepius Passes By

The asteroid Asclepius passes by Earth at a distance of almost 500,000 miles.

March 31, 1989
Scientists Discover the Asteroid

American astronomers Henry Holt and Norman Thomas discover that Asclepius had passed by the Earth.

2014
“51 Degrees North”

The science-fiction movie broadly centering on near-Earth objects is released.

2015
First Observance

International Asteroid Day is celebrated for the first time.

How Businesses Can Celebrate International Asteroid Day

Local businesses can participate in International Asteroid Day by hosting educational events or partnering with science museums and observatories. Bookstores might feature titles on astronomy and space exploration, while toy stores could highlight space-themed kits. Tech companies could showcase innovations relevant to space monitoring or data analysis. Restaurants might offer ‘cosmic’ themed dishes. The key is to align with the day’s mission of awareness and education, perhaps by sponsoring a local school’s science fair or offering discounts on educational materials.

International Asteroid Day FAQs

When is International Asteroid Day?

In 2027, International Asteroid Day will be observed on Wednesday, June 30, continuing its mission to educate the public about cosmic threats and solutions.

How many asteroids are there in our solar system?

While millions of asteroids exist, the focus for planetary defense is on Near-Earth Objects (NEOs), which are asteroids whose orbits bring them close to Earth. Continued efforts are underway to identify and track these objects to assess potential impact risks.

What is the goal of the 100X Asteroid Declaration?

By accelerating the discovery rate, the 100X Asteroid Declaration seeks to provide a comprehensive map of asteroids in our solar system. This enhanced knowledge is crucial for developing effective planetary defense strategies and ensuring the long-term safety of Earth.

Why was June 30 chosen for International Asteroid Day?

The Tunguska event, a significant historical marker, underscores the importance of International Asteroid Day’s mission. By observing the day on June 30, the global community acknowledges past impacts and commits to proactive measures for future planetary protection.

International Asteroid Day Activities

  1. Organize an event in your community

    If there isn’t already an Asteroid Day event taking place in your area, consider organizing one of your own. The holiday is often celebrated with activities like lectures, discussions, and concerts. Hosting your own could be a great benefit to your community. It’s also a fantastic way to do your part to help raise awareness, and to meet like-minded members of your community who share your interest in asteroids.

  2. Watch 51 Degrees North

    Check out the film that started it all, but be prepared to experience a rush of emotions. The movie is fictional, but it’s an exploration of a potential real-world scenario, and it gives you a lot to think about. It’s a great motivator to learn more about asteroids and how to stay safe in the event of an impact.

  3. Volunteer for Asteroid Day’s organizers

    The holiday’s creators and organizers are in need of volunteers to help them make worldwide Asteroid Day events run smoothly. More than 700 events are expected to take place this year, and volunteers can help to set up events, create content, design graphics, and help spread the word.

Why We Love International Asteroid Day

  1. It raises awareness

    Most people are understandably so focused on what’s happening here on earth that they have no idea that asteroids pose a threat to our safety. International Asteroid Day is a great way to combat the lack of awareness around the issue. In the event that an asteroid does strike the earth, the holiday and the movement surrounding it may make a major difference in preparing people to protect themselves.

  2. It encourages space exploration

    International Asteroid Day inspires everyday people to hit the books and learn more about the sky above them, and the galaxy surrounding us. Among established scientists, the holiday creates an incentive for further research and perhaps even an increase in scientific funding. The United Nations General Assembly has now officially recognized the holiday, which will lead to that much more encouragement for research. Cheers to shaping bright minds!

  3. It brings people together over a common cause

    Humans are more alike than we are different, and nothing makes that more clear than a shared threat that could harm the whole planet if it were to strike. Protecting ourselves against asteroids is a much more effective effort if the world’s greatest minds band together to share ideas.

International Asteroid Day dates

Year Date Day
2027 June 30 Wednesday
2028 June 30 Friday
2029 June 30 Saturday
2030 June 30 Sunday
2031 June 30 Monday