Apollo Astronaut Rusty Schweickart, Astronomer Scott Manley and Author Mary Robinette Kowal Headline Asteroid Day in Northern Arizona on June 30

Lowell Observatory and Meteor Crater, in partnership with B612 Foundation, will host a public event featuring distinguished speakers, telescope viewing, and family fun activities

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., June 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Legendary Apollo astronaut Rusty Schweickart, astronomer Scott Manley and acclaimed author Mary Robinette Kowal, known for her Lady Astronaut series, will headline an all-star lineup of speakers in celebration of Asteroid Day. Government officials will also be present to formally recognize "Asteroid Day" with proclamations in Flagstaff and across Coconino County.

Meteor Crater will host daytime events from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. MST, and Lowell Observatory will host evening activities from 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. MST. Programs will address various aspects of asteroids and their icy cousins, comets—what they are, how scientists look for them, the nature of impacts on Earth, and how Apollo astronauts studied Meteor Crater to prepare for their voyages to the impact-scarred Moon.

Rusty Schweickart flew in space aboard the Apollo 9 mission in 1969. He executed the first Apollo space walk, evaluated the life support system used by the later Moonwalkers, and transmitted the first live TV images from space.

"Lowell Observatory and Meteor Crater joining forces for Asteroid Day on June 30th truly highlights Flagstaff's enduring scientific leadership," says Schweickart. "These two institutions, both with deep histories of pioneering research, are coming together to advance our understanding of asteroids. This collaboration further solidifies the state's pivotal role as a national leader in planetary science. It's a powerful example of how scientific collaboration drives innovation and deepens our appreciation for the critical work being done to explore and protect our planet."

The Asteroid Day celebration in northern Arizona is one of many independently organized activities around the world supported by the United Nations-sanctioned program called Asteroid Day. It is designed to raise public awareness about asteroid risks and opportunities. Asteroid Day was founded in 2014 by a group including Schweickart, B612 President Danica Remy, and astrophysicist and Queen guitarist Brian May. It features events generally taking place on June 30, the date, in 1908, of the largest recorded asteroid impact on Earth. 

"It's incredibly gratifying to see Lowell Observatory and Meteor Crater co-host Asteroid Day programs on June 30th, especially with the added support from the local government", says Remy. "This local dedication, coupled with hundreds of other events worldwide, truly highlights the growing global effort to understand and appreciate both the positives and negatives of asteroids, and to inspire a new generation to pursue STEM fields."

Special presentations on June 30 at Meteor Crater include:

• 12 p.m. program by Astronomer and Science Communicator Scott Manley about the threat of killer asteroids
• 1 p.m. discussion by Schweickart and the winner of B612's Schweickart Prize about planetary defense
• 2 p.m. program by science historians Dr. Bill Sheehan and Lowell Observatory historian Kevin Schindler about Meteor Crater and its role in preparing for crewed exploration of the Moon
• 3 p.m. presentation about asteroids that graze the Sun, by Lowell Observatory astronomer Dr. Qicheng Zhang

Special presentations at Lowell Observatory:

• 5 p.m. Asteroid Day Proclamations
• 5:15 p.m. program by Science Communicator/YouTuber Scott Manley about the threat of killer asteroids
• 6 p.m. Rusty Schweickart Prize ceremony and discussion with Schweickart and the 2025 winner of B612's Schweickart Prize
• 7 p.m. Women in Space presentation by Mary Robette Kowal, followed by book signing
• 8 p.m. program about comets by Lowell Observatory astronomer Dr. Qicheng Zhang

"Lowell Observatory is excited to partner with Meteor Crater and B612 to celebrate Asteroid Day," says Dr. Amanda Bosh, Executive Director of Lowell Observatory. "This partnership elegantly captures the goal of all three organizations in exploring the universe and using that information to the benefit of humankind."

Adds Matt Kent, CEO and President of Meteor Crater and the Barringer Space Museum, "Here in northern Arizona, we can see the impact of asteroids on our planet, both in the literal sense and how they influence efforts to protect Earth from them. What better place to hold an Asteroid Day event than here?"

A full list of programs is available at https://www.asteroiddayaz.com/activities.

Press release photos can be found here.

Anyone visiting both Meteor Crater and Lowell Observatory on June 30 will receive $5 off on admission at the second site they visit, by showing a receipt from the first site they visited. 

About Lowell Observatory
Lowell Observatory is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) research institution and national recognized historic site, founded in 1894 by Percival Lowell atop Mars Hill in Flagstaff, Arizona. The Observatory has been the site of many important discoveries, including the first detection of our expanding universe in 1912-1914 and the discovery of Pluto in 1930. Today, the Observatory's tenured astronomers use ground-based telescopes around the world, telescopes in space, and NASA planetary spacecraft to conduct research in diverse areas of astronomy and planetary science. Lowell Observatory currently operates multiple research instruments such as the 4.3-meter Lowell Discovery Telescope. The observatory welcomes more than 100,000 guests per year to its Mars Hill campus in Flagstaff, Arizona, for a variety of award-winning educational experiences, including historical tours, science presentations, and telescope viewing. Recognized by TIME in 2025 as One of the World's 100 Greatest Places, and by Newsweek as the Best Science Museum in the U.S.

About Meteor Crater
Located just off Interstate 40 at Exit 233, approximately 20 minutes west of Winslow, Arizona, Meteor Crater is one of the world's best-preserved and most iconic meteorite impact sites. Formed around 50,000 years ago by a 150-foot-wide iron-nickel asteroid traveling at 26,000 mph, the impact carved out a massive crater nearly a mile wide, 2.5 miles in circumference, and over 550 feet deep. Today, the site is home to the Barringer Space Museum, an award-winning facility filled with interactive exhibits, immersive displays, and educational experiences that explore the science of planetary impacts, meteoritics, and space exploration. Guests can enjoy self-guided tours from the crater's observation decks or join guided rim tours for a deeper look into the crater's geologic and historic significance. Driven by its mission to educate and inspire guests with an impactful experience that ignites a passion for space and science, Meteor Crater & Barringer Space Museum is a must-visit destination that blends natural wonder with scientific discovery. With a focus on curiosity, education, and exploration, the site welcomes thousands of visitors from around the world each year.

About B612 Foundation
Since 2002, B612 has developed tools and technologies to understand, map, and navigate our solar system and protect our planet from asteroid impacts through its Asteroid Institute program and supporting educational programs, including Asteroid Day and the Schweickart Prize. Founding Circle and Asteroid Circle members and individual donors from 46 countries support the work financially. For more information, visit B612foundation.org or follow on social: Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin or Bluesky.

SOURCE Lowell Observatory