30/06/2026 22:15 - Tecnologia
The date was not chosen at random. On June 30, 1908, an asteroid exploded in the atmosphere over Tunguska, in the remote Siberian region of Russia. The explosion released energy equivalent to several megatons and devastated more than 2,000 square kilometers of forest, knocking down approximately 80 million trees.
Although the low population density of the area prevented a massive human tragedy, the magnitude of the phenomenon left an enduring lesson about the risks posed by these rocky bodies, remnants from the formation of the Solar System.
Decades later, on December 6, 2016, the United Nations General Assembly approved resolution A/RES/71/90 to officially establish this day. The initiative gained momentum in 2014 through the "Asteroid Day" movement, driven by astrophysicist and Queen guitarist Brian May, along with the B612 Foundation and astronaut Rusty Schweickart.
Has identified more than 16,000 asteroids in the vicinity of Earth's orbit under the designation of Near-Earth Objects (NEAs).
Its Near-Earth Object Coordination Centre (NEOCC) has catalogued approximately 42,000 objects whose orbits pass near Earth.
To be classified under this category, celestial bodies must meet strict parameters:
Constant monitoring allows scientists to rule out threats years in advance or design contingency plans.
Humanity is no longer limited to just observation. In 2022, NASA's DART mission (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) successfully impacted the moon of asteroid Didymos (called Dimorphos) to modify its orbit through kinetic momentum transfer.
This milestone demonstrates that, unlike earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, asteroid impact is the only predictable and potentially preventable natural disaster with current technology.
Launched in 2024, it will arrive at Dimorphos to study the aftermath of DART's impact.
Status: As planned, arrival expected in autumn 2026.
Will launch between April and May 2028 to study asteroid Apophis.
Equipped with cameras, spectrometer, altimeter, and two cubesats.
On April 13, 2029, this asteroid of 375 meters in diameter will pass within 32,000 kilometers of Earth's surface—closer than the orbit of many communications satellites.
According to Professor of Applied Physics at the University of Alicante, Adriano Campo Bagatin: "Whatever may be heard in the coming months or years, Apophis has no possibility of colliding with Earth in 2029, nor in 2036, 2044, or 2068."
Key Fact: Apophis's passage is a rare event, estimated to occur approximately once every 7,500 years.
In 2013, an asteroid of merely 18 meters in diameter exploded over the Russian city of Chelyabinsk without prior notice. The shockwave shattered windows and damaged infrastructure, causing more than 1,000 injuries and demonstrating that small objects also represent a real threat.
Spanish-speaking astronomy plays a fundamental role. Spain actively contributes to the European Union's space debris monitoring networks and early warning systems.
South America—with Chile at the forefront thanks to the extremely clear skies of the Atacama Desert—houses state-of-the-art telescope facilities crucial for discovering new bodies in the Solar System, such as the ATLAS system that detected asteroid 2024 YR4.
Learning about the nature of these rocky fragments, visiting local observatories, or discussing the importance of science in protecting our planet are essential activities to observe this globally significant date.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
