World record stargazing

What record are you trying to break?

On Friday 21 August 2015 Mt. Stromlo Observatory will be leading Australia in attempting to break two Guinness World Records - Most People Stargazing at a Single Site (Canberra) and Most People Stargazing Across Multiple Sites in a Country (Australia).
How can I participate?

To set the record, everyone who wants to participate will need to be looking through a telescope at a pre-determined time during the evening. If you do not have your own telescope you can purchase a commemorative World Record Stargazing telescope when you register through Eventbrite. If you are planning on bringing your own telescope or binoculars (phones don't count sorry) we ask you still please register for the event to help us with numbers.
What if I'm not in Canberra?

There are currently over 40 sites registered to take part in the attempt to break the World Record for Most People Stargazing Across Multiple Sites in a Country. Check out our map to join your nearest one or email outreach@mso.anu.edu.au to host your own event.
Mt. Stromlo Observatory Raffle

As part of this great event we will be running a raffle with all proceeds going to the Peter McGregor Scholarship Fund.

Professor Peter McGregor passed away earlier this year after a battle with cancer, and was well known throughout the astronomy community for his scientific research and astronomical instrumentation.  He was the Project Scientist for both NIFS and GSAOI, two instruments built at Mt. Stromlo for the 8-meter Gemini telescopes in Chile and Hawaii.  He was also the Project Scientist for GMTIFS, one of the first instruments planned to go on the 25-meter Giant Magellan Telescope.  The scholarship fund in his name will support PhD students who aspire to not only be great astronomers, but instrument builders too, and can continue in the path Peter forged.

1st Prize: Private Stargazing + Tour at Mt. Stromlo Observatory for Winner + 9 Guests (Value $600)

2nd Prize: Two (2) Tickets to 'An Evening with Neil deGrasse Tyson' at Llewellyn Hall on Sunday, 23 August (Value $250)

3rd Prize: A signed bottle of 2013 Maipenrai wine, made by the 2011 Nobel Laureate in Physics Professor Brian Schmidt (Value $40)
Public lectures

Throughout the evening we will be running public lectures in the Manning Clark Centre with Professor Brian Schmidt AC, Professor Lisa Kewley and more. Register for the event at Eventbrite to stay up-to-date with announcements about the public lectures schedule and more.
Raffle terms and conditions

Permit No: ACT R 15/00244 You must be 18+ to enter. Winners will be announced at the ANU event on the evening of the World Record Stargazing (8pm 21 August 2015) and will be contacted after the event. Winners of the two tickets to Neil deGrasse Tyson must be available to make the Canberra show on the following Sunday (23 August 2015). Winners of the Private Stargazing Evening will be contacted by Mt. Stromlo to organize a date. Winners do not have to be present to win. RSAA staff and students are not eligible.

-rsaa.anu.edu.au