Tomorrow, organizers around the world will commemorate the 107th anniversary of that event by holding the first Asteroid Day.
In addition to asteroids, the event will focus on other threats to Earth, such as comets and large meteors.
"We are trying to ramp up the rate of detection by 100 times," explained Brian May, an astrophysics Ph.D. and the lead guitarist of the British rock band Queen, in a statement about the declaration. "Signing the 100X Declaration is a way for the public to contribute to bringing about an awareness that we can protect humanity now and for future generations."