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HAYABUSA2 RETURNS HOME

An animation showing how Hayabusa2, after adjusting its position and altitude, planned to plunge toward a target on the surface of the asteroid Ryugu. Credit By Jaxa

Hayabusa 2 returns after a successful mission! The spacecraft, presented by JAXA, has been following asteroid Ryugu closely in observation since 2014. Having already completed a brief landing in February of 2019, JAXA’s team concluded it was safe to proceed with a second landing, blasted a probe into the rock and proceeded to collect samples for study

The purpose of creating a crater in the asteroid was to dig deeper into the surface where scientists learn more about the origins of the universe. Asteroid Ryugu is made up of carbon molecules, which are the building blocks for organic matter.

“(Asteroids) contain some almost pristine compounds that help tell what the early solar system was like 4.5 billion years ago.” - Michael Roston, “ Japan’s Hayabusa2 Spacecraft Lands on Asteroid It Blasted a Hole In” New York Times.

The Hayabusa2 is on its way back to the earth’s orbit with a planned return for December of 2020

Four views of Ryugu’s other hemisphere.
Credit: JAXA/Hayabusa2/Claudia Manzoni/Brian May

For more on the Hayabusa2 visit:

ASTEROID DAY HIGHLIGHTED EVENT

SRINAGAR

Nearly 160 students from different schools participated in the 2019 Asteroid Day event held in Yousmarg, Kashmir, India this past June. Activities included movies, quizzes, presentations, and lectures.

Asteroid model-making was a popular project for the students with every participant taking home a paper asteroid model. To wrap up the event, participation certificates and prizes for quiz winners were awarded.

This was one of the biggest events the Srinagar Asteroid Day team has held in years. Thank you to the volunteers who helped plan and manage the activities. Special thanks Moonland school for providing help with organizing the event and Anisul Islam for submitting the event online.

ASTEROID DAY HIGHLIGHTED COMMUNITY MEMBER

RUSTY SCHWEIKART

As Asteroid Day enters the new decade, we would like to celebrate our founding member and Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweikart. This past year was the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 9 mission as Rusty reflects, “It wasn’t Neil Armstrong who could look back on Earth, but it was all of us. That was the significance of Apollo 9. For the first time human eyes saw this incredible evolution that is earth life, not just human life, but all life on this planet.”

Along with the Apollo 9 mission, Schweikart has continued to dedicate his life to space. He has co-founded several organizations including the Association of Space Explorers, B612 foundation, and Asteroid Day.

Schweikart gave a moving speech at last year’s Asteroid Day Gala about humanity 50 years after Apollo. Click here to view the address.

Read more on Schweikart’s take of the Apollo missions fifty years later:

Bauldry, Jess. (2019, January 7). 50 YEARS AFTER APOLLO 11: “WE’RE ALL IN LOVE WITH THIS PLANET NOW”. Delano.

ASTEROID DAY HIGHLIGHTED SPONSOR

The Sofitel Luxembourg Le Grand Ducal has been a sponsor of Asteroid Day for the past three years. The striking hotel in Luxembourg’s historic center has been the temporary home to astronauts, scientists, business people and speakers for our annual Asteroid Day LIVE broadcast. Their excellent service, attention to detail, location and restaurants make it the ideal stay when visiting Luxembourg City.

To see more from the Sofitel Hotel group visit their website here.

HOST AN ASTEROID DAY EVENT TODAY!

Calling all Asteroid Day Independent Event Organizers! We have a toolkit to help with your event planning and promotion. Download it here at asteroidday.org.

Also, be sure to head to our event organizer page to find exciting tools, tips, and ideas for your Asteroid Day event.

Asteroid Day is made possible by our major sponsors and support from individuals. To support asteroid education around the globe please consider making a gift today.

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