Legendary Apollo astronaut Rusty Schweickart and Mary Robinette Kowal, who created alternate-history astronauts in her Lady Astronaut series of books, will lead an all-star cast of speakers in celebrating Asteroid Day. Government officials will also be on hand to proclaim 鈥淎steroid Day鈥� as an officially recognized day in Flagstaff and across Coconino County.
Meteor Crater and Lowell Observatory, in conjunction with B612 Foundation, will host the one-day public event on June 30 that also features telescope viewing, science demonstrations, and other family activities.
Meteor Crater will host daytime events from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Lowell Observatory will host evening activities from 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Programs will address various aspects of asteroids and their icy cousins, comets 鈥� what they are, how scientists look for them, the nature of impacts on Earth, and how Apollo astronauts studied Meteor Crater to prepare for their voyages to the impact-scarred Moon.
Rusty Schweickart flew in space aboard the Apollo 9 mission in 1969. He executed the first Apollo space walk, evaluated the life support system used by the later Moonwalkers, and transmitted the first live TV images from space.
鈥淟owell Observatory and Meteor Crater joining forces for Asteroid Day on June 30 truly highlights Flagstaff's enduring scientific leadership,鈥� Schweickart said. 鈥淭hese two institutions, both with deep histories of pioneering research, are coming together to advance our understanding of asteroids. This collaboration further solidifies the state's pivotal role as a national leader in planetary science. It's a powerful example of how scientific collaboration drives innovation and deepens our appreciation for the critical work being done to explore and protect our planet."
The Asteroid Day celebration in northern Arizona is one of many independently organized activities around the world supported by the United Nations-sanctioned program called Asteroid Day. It is designed to raise public awareness about asteroids and their risks. Asteroid Day was founded in 2014 by a group including Schweickart, current B612 Foundation President Danica Remy, and astrophysicist and Queen guitarist Brian May. It features events generally taking place on June 30, the date, in 1908, of the largest recorded asteroid impact on Earth.
"It's incredibly gratifying to see Lowell Observatory and Meteor Crater co-host Asteroid Day programs on June 30, especially with the added support from the local government鈥�, Remy said. 鈥淭his local dedication, coupled with hundreds of other events worldwide, truly highlights the growing global effort to understand and appreciate both the positives and negatives of asteroids, and to inspire a new generation to pursue STEM fields."
Special presentations on June 30 at Meteor Crater include:
- 12 p.m. program by Science Communicator/Youtuber Scott Manley about the threat of killer asteroids
- 1 p.m. discussion by Schweickart and the winner of B612鈥檚 Schweickart Prize about planetary defense
- 2 p.m. program by science historians Dr. Bill Sheehan and Kevin Schindler about Meteor Crater and its role in preparing for crewed exploration of the Moon
- 3 p.m. presentation about asteroids that graze the Sun, by Lowell Observatory astronomer Dr. Qicheng Zhang
- Special presentations at Lowell Observatory:
- 5 p.m. program by Science Communicator/Youtuber Scott Manley about the threat of killer asteroids
- 6 p.m. Rusty Schweickart Prize ceremony and discussion with Schweickart and the winner of B612鈥檚 Schweickart Prize
- 7 p.m. Women in Space presentation by Mary Robette Kowal, followed by book signing
- 8 p.m. program about comets by Lowell Observatory astronomer Dr. Qicheng Zhang
鈥淟owell Observatory is excited to partner with Meteor Crater and B612 Foundation to celebrate Asteroid Day,鈥� said Amanda Bosh, Executive Director of Lowell Observatory. 鈥淭his partnership elegantly captures the goal of all three organizations in exploring the universe and using that information to the benefit of humankind.鈥�
Matt Kent, CEO and President of Meteor Crater and the Barringer Space Museum, added, 鈥淗ere in northern Arizona, we can see the impact of asteroids on our planet, both in the literal sense and how they influence efforts to protect Earth from them. What better place to hold an Asteroid Day event than here?鈥�
A full list of programs is available at .