Each scar on Earth from a meteorite impact tells a story—from the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs to the lesser-known craters that dot the planet. Asteroid Day highlights ongoing research into asteroids and the potential threats they pose. Started in 2015 and backed by the United Nations, this day marks the anniversary of the Tunguska event—a massive explosion that occurred in Siberia on June 30, 1908. This explosion flattened over 800 square miles of Siberian forest near the Tunguska River. The blast released energy equal to 10–15 megatons of trinitrotoluene (TNT), a standard measure of explosive force. Since then, craters like Arizona"s Barringer, Quebec"s Manicouagan and others have helped scientists study what happens when space rocks hit Earth.
Asteroid Day
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Go fly a kite!
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A symbol of peace
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Château de Sully-sur-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, France
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Baobab trees, Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar
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World Meteorological Day
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Squirrel Appreciation Day
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Pollinator Week
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Wadden Sea coast, Friesland, Netherlands
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Skradinski Buk Waterfall, Krka National Park, Croatia
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The bears and the bees…
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European river otter
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Przewalskis horses, Hustai National Park, Mongolia
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Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, Spain
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Dare to delve into this dense swamp
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International Zebra Day
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Ocracoke Lighthouse on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, USA
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Taking a New Year nap
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Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany
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A beacon in the golden light
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Lupine flowers in bloom, Northern California, United States
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Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho, USA
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Minnesota State Capitol, St Paul, Minnesota, United States
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Stairway to heaven?
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Smith Rock State Park, Oregon, United States
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Glacier National Park, Montana, USA
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Rufous hummingbird, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, United States
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Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve, Estonia
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Call of the wilderness
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Beech trees and anemone wildflowers, Jutland, Denmark
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World Space Week begins
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