Asteroid Day 2026
3:00pm - 5:00pm /
Tuesday 30th June 2026
/ Venue: Central Teaching Hub
- Ricardo Torres
- Admission: Free.
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Join us in person for an exciting day all about asteroids! Dive into a fascinating talk, explore cool exhibits, and connect with fellow space enthusiasts. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned stargazer, there's something here for everyone. Don't miss out on this fun and informative event celebrating our cosmic neighbours!
Agenda
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Exhibition
Dr Stefania Soldini, University of Liverpool
Meet and greet researchers from the University of Liverpool's Planetary Defence group, check our exhibits and participate in hands-on demonstrations.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Talk "Trojans and Greeks: The Jovian Odyssey of NASA’s Lucy Mission"
Duncan Lyster, University of Oxford
NASA’s Lucy mission will encounter the first of its Trojan asteroid targets in August 2027, giving us the first close-up look at a group of asteroids thought to contain some of the most pristine remnants of the early formation of the Solar System. Lucy's 2023 flyby of the binary asteroid Dinkinesh and its unexpected moon Selam, was a perfect test-case for gaining geological insight into small celestial bodies without atmosphere. Through modelling complex flyby geometries such as the one of the Lucy spacecraft, we can quantify how secondary bodies influence estimates of the physical properties of asteroids, which inform planetary defence.
Agenda
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Exhibition
Dr Stefania Soldini, University of Liverpool
Meet and greet researchers from the University of Liverpool's Planetary Defence group, check our exhibits and participate in hands-on demonstrations.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Talk "Trojans and Greeks: The Jovian Odyssey of NASA’s Lucy Mission"
Duncan Lyster, University of Oxford
NASA’s Lucy mission will encounter the first of its Trojan asteroid targets in August 2027, giving us the first close-up look at a group of asteroids thought to contain some of the most pristine remnants of the early formation of the Solar System. Lucy's 2023 flyby of the binary asteroid Dinkinesh and its unexpected moon Selam, was a perfect test-case for gaining geological insight into small celestial bodies without atmosphere. Through modelling complex flyby geometries such as the one of the Lucy spacecraft, we can quantify how secondary bodies influence estimates of the physical properties of asteroids, which inform planetary defence.