Asteroid Day 10 Years: Engaging Events Across the Middle East and Asia

The 10th anniversary of Asteroid Day was celebrated with energy and creativity across the Middle East and Asia. A mix of scientific events, educational activities, and community outreach brought people together and highlighted the importance of understanding asteroids and planetary defence. Here’s a look at some of the regional highlights:

In the United Arab Emirates, the University of Sharjah hosted a major event attended by researchers, students, and space enthusiasts. Visitors had the chance to interact with academics and representatives from the UAE Space Agency, explore a meteorite exhibition, and enjoy a planetarium session focused on asteroids. In Jordan, an online conference organised by the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences brought together both local and regional experts. Discussions ranged from asteroid impacts and planetary defence strategies to the potential use of asteroid resources.

Asteroid Day celebration at the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.

At the Sagamihara City Museum in Japan, a series of lectures explored asteroids 2024 YR4 and Apophis, which have previously posed a risk of impact with Earth. Eight researchers participated in the event, including scientists from JAXA, the Japanese space agency behind missions like Hayabusa2.

Visitors interacting with JAXA researchers at the Asteroid Day event in Sagamihara City Museum, organised by Japan Spaceguard.

In Malaysia, Planetarium Negara in Kuala Lumpur hosted a lively programme for children. Activities included an interactive online quiz, an exhibition of a valuable meteorite collection, and a hands-on art workshop where children painted imaginative interpretations of asteroids.

Children creating and colouring model asteroids during a workshop at Planetarium Negara, Malaysia, alongside a display of meteorites.

It’s always exciting to see how India celebrates Asteroid Day, and this 10th anniversary saw an especially strong turnout. Educational institutions, science centres, and astronomy groups came together to share knowledge in engaging and accessible ways. In several cities, science centres welcomed hundreds of students for lectures, demonstrations, and workshops. These sessions gave young people the chance to interact with experts and sparked new interest in scientific exploration.

Students taking part in asteroid-themed activities at science centres in Bhopal, Calicut, Mumbai and Siliguri, India.

Meanwhile, in schools across the country, children took part in activities like educational films, quizzes, drawing competitions, and themed workshops. In some areas, students went even further, organising cultural performances and public talks to spread awareness in their communities about the importance of space science and planetary protection.

Schoolchildren across India taking part in Asteroid Day activities on 30 June, including fun, educational and awareness-raising sessions

If you’ve organised an event for Asteroid Day, we’d love to hear about it — just fill in this report and share your best moments with us.