Near Miss Day

Near Miss Day is an annual American observance focused on asteroids and other space objects that pass close to Earth. It highlights the importance of learning about meteorites and near-Earth objects, which can pose a potential threat to life on our planet. The day is observed on March 23 each year.

History

Near Miss Day commemorates an event that occurred on March 23, 1989, when a large asteroid passed extremely close to Earth without colliding with it. The object, later named Asclepius, crossed Earth’s orbital path just hours after our planet had passed the same point. A direct impact would have had catastrophic consequences.

Asteroids are rocky remnants from the formation of the solar system. Many of them remain in constant motion through space, occasionally passing near Earth. These events remind humanity that not all natural forces can be fully controlled. Scientists monitor near-Earth objects using ground-based observatories and space-based instruments, but preventing an impact by a large asteroid remains a major scientific challenge.

Interesting Facts

• The asteroid that passed Earth in 1989 was named Asclepius.
• Asclepius is estimated to have been several hundred meters in diameter, roughly comparable to the size of a large sports stadium.
• An impact by an asteroid of similar size could release energy comparable to hundreds of megatons of TNT, far exceeding the power of the largest nuclear weapons.

How to Take Part

Learn more about near-Earth asteroids that have passed close to our planet and explore what scientists believe could happen in the event of an impact. Visit space museums, watch educational documentaries, or attend public lectures on astronomy and planetary defense.

Share information about Near Miss Day on social media to help raise awareness about space science and asteroid monitoring.

When is Near Miss Day in 2026?

Near Miss Day is observed on March 23 each year.

Observations