Asteroid Day

In 2014, astrophysicist and lead guitarist of the rock band Queen Dr Brian May, President and chief executive officer of the B612 Foundation Danica Remy, Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart and filmmaker Grig Richters founded “Asteroid Day” to raise awareness and provide information about the importance of asteroids and create an appreciation for the risks they pose, but also the opportunities they present.

Asteroid Day is held annually on 30 June, the same day that the biggest asteroid impact in the Earth’s recent history occurred in Tunguska in Siberia in 1908.

In 2016, the United Nations declared Asteroid Day under the leadership of the Association of Space Explorers (ASE) to be a global day of education to promote knowledge about asteroids and generate interest in asteroids among the general public. Independent organisations such as schools, museums, space agencies and clubs all over the world hold conferences, meetings, lectures and more as part of the annual Asteroid Day campaign.

POST Philately is issuing a series of three special stamps over three years; the first motif this year depicts “Defense”. In 2023, a motif on the theme of “Discovery” will be issued, while for 2024, the year in which “Asteroid Day” will celebrate its 10th anniversary, the subject of the stamp will be “Space Resources” (mining and utilisation of natural resources in space).

• Layout: Reza Kianpour (L)
• Printing: Offset lithography and hot foil in silver, Cartor Security Printing, Meaucé La Loupe (F)
• Dimensions: 55 x 37 mm
• 10 stamps per sheet