CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: The Regional Science Centre, Bhopal, is organizing ‘International Asteroid Day’ from June 27 to June 30, 2024, with various educational programs. The event will include a lecture by NASA scientist Thomas S. Statler, a workshop, a poster competition, and the screening of the acclaimed film ’51 Degrees North,’ all focused on asteroids and planetary defense.
The objective is to raise awareness about asteroid threats and promote the scientific study of space hazards. This initiative aims to increase awareness among the general public, especially students, encouraging scientific research and emphasizing preparedness for potential asteroid impacts on Earth.
Main Event Details:
Title: How (and Why) NASA Moved an Asteroid: Near-Earth Objects, Planetary Defense, and the DART Mission
Speaker: Dr. Thomas S. Statler, Lead Scientist for Solar System Small Bodies, NASA Headquarters, USA
Date: June 27, 2024 (Thursday) | Time: 10:00 AM
Dr. Statler will share the unique story of NASA’s DART mission, which successfully altered the path of an asteroid in space in 2022. This historic mission marks the first time humans have changed the trajectory of a natural celestial body to protect Earth. Dr. Statler has played a leading role in NASA’s exploration of small bodies in the solar system, contributing significantly to missions such as DART, Lucy, OSIRIS-APEX, and Japan’s MMX.
