Amman, June 25 (Petra) - Jordan Astronomical Society (JAS) is scheduled to host a virtual Arab astronomy symposium on Tuesday, June 30, marking International Asteroid Day.

According to organizers, the event will gather Arab researchers in astronomy and space sciences to examine asteroid role in understanding the solar system’s formation, planetary defense, and near-Earth objects.

The discussions will also review preparations for the 2029 International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defence (IYAPD), coinciding with the expected close approach of asteroid Apophis.

The program features presentations by national committees from Jordan, the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Algeria, alongside expert lectures from across the Arab world on asteroids, meteorites, space exploration, and the use of artificial intelligence in astronomical observation.

The activities are held, in cooperation with the Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education for Western Asia (RCSSTEWA), the International Astronomical Center (IAC), and the Centre for Theoretical Physics and Astronomy (CTPA).

On its agenda, organizers said the symposium promotes scientific awareness, expertise exchange and regional cooperation in astronomy and space sciences.

//Petra// HA