2024 Will Rock You! Organise Amazing Events with Us!
2024 Will Rock You! Organise Amazing Events with Us! https://asteroidday-uploads.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/10222034/AD-in-Campo.jpeg 512 384 Asteroid Day https://asteroidday-uploads.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/10222034/AD-in-Campo.jpeg
We’re coming back in 2024!
2024 will bring multiple opportunities to organise amazing asteroid observation, research, and awareness events.
Let’s start with our flagship events!
Building upon the successful Asteroid Day 2023, Asteroid Foundation is pleased to announce and give some information about the forthcoming Asteroid Day 2024 :
The 2024 program will span two days and will take place in the heart of the Luxembourg city in Cercle Cité and will include:
Asteroid Day Space Lecture (June 28): This event will provide in-depth insights into the latest developments in asteroid and space research. Esteemed speakers, including astronauts especially those with experience in extended duration at the International Space Station, and international scientists, will share their experiences and knowledge.
Asteroid Day Festival (June 29): A diverse range of activities will be offered, from interactive workshops hosted by the Foundation’s partners and teaching about space science and Art in a hands-on manner to presentations and discussion panels that will be streamed to the global audience of Asteroid Day. These presentations will give the floor to young space researchers to present their projects, and feature panels of astronauts (from retired to currently active and aspiring) and renowned space scientists who will be bringing space insights to all in an accessible manner.
Stay tuned for more information on Asteroid Day 2024 or on our social media.
For you to organise amazing events, Get inspired by these tips and engage your audience:
Asteroid Weekend – Mark your calendars for Asteroid Weekend in 2024, as Asteroid Day coincides with a Sunday! Elevate the weekend experience by uniting families and friends in engaging asteroid-themed activities. Consider hosting entertaining themed competitions such as hangman, playcards, and Asteroid Day School quizzes.
Don’t miss the opportunity to align your event with other global projects happening throughout the year, incorporating asteroids as a captivating theme in your participation.
Asteroid Day in Campo del Cielo – Argentina (on the left) and Pueblito de Las Vizcachas in Chile (on the right). Two remarkable occasions in 2023, during which families and groups came together to learn about asteroids.
Dimorphos revisited – Anticipate one of next year’s most exciting events: the launch of the Hera Mission by the European Space Agency (ESA). This probe is set to embark on comprehensive surveys of the Didymos-Dimorphos system, investigating the intricacies of the DART probe impact. Hera will meticulously measure the impacted asteroid, revealing unprecedented information about this celestial encounter.
Hera mission launch: one of the most awaited moments for 2024 (ESA)
Hayabusa2 Anniversary – Celebrating its ten-year anniversary since its launch, the triumphant Japanese mission to collect and return samples from the asteroid Ryugu stands as a milestone in the history of asteroid exploration. Acknowledge this remarkable achievement, which has significantly contributed to our understanding of the composition of space rocks and helped to offer crucial insights into the origins of the solar system.
To mark this occasion, consider organising a workshop where enthusiasts can assemble paper models not only of Hayabusa2 but also other iconic missions that have shaped the asteroid exploration. Honour a decade of groundbreaking discoveries and pave the way for continued exploration and understanding of our small rocky neighbours.
Asteroid Ryugu flyby (on the left) and samples returned to Earth (on the right). The historic Hayabusa2 mission is marking its 10th anniversary since launch (JAXA).
Celestial Treasures – A highlight of Asteroid Day has always been the unique opportunity for the public to see meteorites that have fallen or been unearthed throughout history. In 2024, these celestial rocks will take centre stage at various events, featuring engaging conferences, fragment presentations, and enriching museum visits.
We draw attention to significant meteorite milestones, celebrating 200 years since the fall of the Renazzo meteorite in Italy, 150 years since the Kerilis meteorite fell in France, and acknowledging a century since the falls of the Success meteorites in the USA, Unkoku in South Korea, as well as La Colina and Santa Isabel in Argentina. Join us in this journey as we explore and appreciate the space rocks that have touched our planet throughout history.
Fragments of Renazzo (on the left), Kerilis (in the center), and Success (on the right) meteorites, fallen to Earth 200, 150, and 100 years ago, respectively. (University Museum of Earth Sciences / Br. Guy Consolmagno, Vatican collection / MeteoriteCollector.org – USNM – Smithsonian / The Meteoritical Society)
Hirayama’s Legacy: Unveiling Asteroid Families – In commemoration of the 150th birthday of Kiyotsugu Hirayama, a visionary Japanese astronomer, we celebrate his groundbreaking discovery that unveiled the existence of asteroid families—groups of asteroids sharing similar orbital regions. Beyond its historical significance, Hirayama’s work has played a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of asteroid dynamics, leaving an enduring mark on the field of astronomy.
Kiyotsugu Hirayama, discoverer of the asteroid families (Seiko Yoshida & Tsuko Nakamura)
Prime Asteroids for Observation – Optimal chances to observe asteroids arise during their oppositions. In the sky lineup for 2024, the highlights include Juno in March, Iris in August, and Eunomia in December. Armed with nothing more than small telescopes, enthusiasts can participate in observing them during these respective months. Consider orchestrating a sky-watching session, and extend the invitation to your audience, providing them with a unique opportunity to witness these remarkable asteroids.
Asteroid Iris trajectory through Aquarius stars in August, the time of its opposition. (in-the-sky.org).
Asteroid Exploration and Beyond: Engaging Conferences and Symposia – Explore the forefront of asteroid study, resource extraction technologies, and planetary defence strategies through key presentation events. Noteworthy gatherings in 2024 include Space Resources Week in Luxembourg (March), the 39th Space Symposium by the Space Foundation in the USA (April), the 6th Annual Summit on Satellite and Space Communication Technology in the Netherlands (also in April) and the 4th IAA Conference on Space Situational Awareness (ICSSA) in the USA (in May). Stay abreast of cutting-edge developments in space exploration and technology linked to asteroids.
Ready for a journey to asteroids? Numerous opportunities await to immerse your audience in the captivating world of asteroids.
To facilitate your planning, download the Event Organizer Toolkit and proceed to register your event online.
After, remember to submit your event report, allowing us to showcase your experience on our website and social media platforms. Your insights can serve as inspiration for others contemplating hosting similar events in the future.
Wishing you an unforgettable year ahead!
