National Near Miss Day and the Fragility of Life on Earth

March 23rd isn't just another day on the calendar; it's National Near Miss Day, a day dedicated to a cosmic close call that serves as a stark reminder of our place in the vastness of space.

This day commemorates the near collision between Earth and a mountain-sized asteroid named 4581 Asclepius in 1989.

The 1989 Asteroid Flyby

The story of National Near Miss Day begins not with celebration, but with a terrifying oversight. Unbeknownst to the world, on March 22nd, 1989, a giant asteroid was hurtling towards Earth.

4581 Asclepius, estimated to be roughly 300 meters (984 feet) in diameter, was on a trajectory that could have resulted in a catastrophic collision.