National Meteor Watch Day 2024: National Meteor Watch Day is observed on 30 June, every year. This day is dedicated to providing people with a better understanding of the meteors or the shooting stars.
Meteors are fragments of asteroids that fall on Earth from space. They are created in interstellar space and travel millions of years before they reach our planet. This day is also an opportunity to reflect on the history of the solar system since meteors have existed for billions of years. Space enthusiasts should observe National Meteor Watch Day to know more about meteors.
National Meteor Watch Day 2024: History
The International Astronomical Union established meteors in 1961. They were previously identified as "solid objects moving in interplanetary space" by Dennis Olmsted in 1866.
It was the 19th century that saw the rapid advancement of science and technology, which allowed astronomers to finally discover the existence of meteors.
In 1866, scientists like Hubert A. Newton began making predictions regarding the next meteor shower. This event sparked curiosity among people and led to the study of meteors by many astronomers.
In 1920, the largest meteorite ever hit the Earth was discovered in Namibia. It weighed over 60 tons and was made up of an alloy of iron and nickel.
Today, we can still see the craters left behind by meteors on the moon. These craters are a testament to the destruction and death that can occur when meteors fall to Earth.
According to experts, most meteors are huge and weigh over 60 tons, while some are small and weigh less than a pebble.
National Meteor Watch Day 2024: How To Celebrate
Here are some interesting activities you can try on National Meteor Watch Day 2024 to observe the event:
Stargazing
One of the most interesting activities you can try on National Meteor Watch Day is to go stargazing. Grab some snacks and your friends to enjoy the night of stargazing. You can spot shooting stars and other interesting elements at night if you are really interested. Your friends and loved ones will surely make the experience memorable and exciting for you.
Read About Meteors
Another interesting activity you can try on this day if you are an avid reader is to check books on meteors and space. You can head to the nearest library to pick some books on meteors. Go through all the details that can help to answer your questions. You can also discuss about what you have read in the books with fellow enthusiasts.
Go to a Space Museum
National Meteor Watch Day is the best opportunity to visit a space museum. You can see pieces of meteor rocks on display and read more about them. You can also watch other activities that happen in space that we are unaware of. Visiting a museum is the best way to spend the day because it helps to learn and gain more knowledge.
National Meteor Watch Day 2024: Significance
National Meteor Watch Day is important because it serves the purpose of increasing interest in astronomy and the study of meteors. This event makes people curious because they can learn more about the space.
There are so many things in our universe that we don't know because we don't have the time to do our research. This day provides an opportunity to explore interesting facts about the space.
(Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated by AI and published after the content was editorially modified and verified by a human based on their own judgement and expertise. The Quint does not publish AI-generated content without direct human involvement and oversight).
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)