The Australian National University (ANU) is to partner with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in an attempt to break a stargazing Guinness World Record set by the University three years ago.
The Mount Stromlo Observatory at ANU holds the title for the “Most People Stargazing at Multiple Venues”: 7,960 participants across 37 locations in Australia looked up to the night sky simultaneously on 21 August 2015.
Brad Tucker from the ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, who organised the first record-breaking effort, is now urging people to get involved in the new attempt on 23 May.
“Astronomy is a way to get everyone interested in science and with the future Australian Space Agency on the way, there’s never been a better time to look skywards,” Dr Tucker said.
“The great thing about this Guinness World Records attempt is that anyone anywhere in Australia can take part and I can’t wait to break our record from three years ago.”
He said the attempt will coincide with the ABC’s Stargazing Live television event broadcast from the ANU’s Siding Spring Observatory.
Hosted by the UK’s Professor Brian Cox and comedian Julia Zemiro, the ABC’s Stargazing Live will air over three days from 22 to 24 May.
The ANU and the ABC plan stargazing parties across the country on 23 May in an effort to smash the record.
