International Asteroid Day (30 June): Tunguska and Apophis
Why in the news
International Asteroid Day is observed today, 30 June, to build awareness of asteroid impact risks and the need for planetary defence.
Key facts
- Date: 30 June every year.
- Reason: it recalls the Tunguska asteroid impact of 30 June 1908 in Siberia, Russia.
- UN link: UNGA Resolution A/RES/71/90, adopted 6 December 2016.
- 2029: International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defence.
About the observance
- The 2029 year coincides with the close approach of asteroid 99942 Apophis on 13 April 2029.
- The day encourages international cooperation on detecting and deflecting hazardous asteroids.
Exam angle
- Static pair: 30 June and the Tunguska event of 1908.
- Remember Apophis and 2029.
- UN-designated days with resolution numbers are common in one-liner questions.