Sights set on world record

Telescopes will fill the Bunbury Recreation Ground tomorrow night as more than 100 people join the attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the Most People Stargazing Across Multiple Venues.

Venues across Australia will host events where participants are required to stargaze at the moon through a telescope or binoculars for a 10-minute period simultaneously.

The world record was set in 2015 by the Australian National University with 7960 people across 37 locations.

Bunbury event organiser and Astronomical Society of the South West member Brian Raynor said the aim was to set a much higher target of 10,000.

“We already have 149 people registered as of yesterday morning and can accommodate up to 250,” he said.

“Across Australia there are groups of all shapes and sizes – one group in Sydney has around 5000.”

Mr Raynor said the event was a chance for South West residents to be a part of history.

“It’s a good fun event for people who have an interest in astronomy to come out and do something a bit different and be part of a world record – which is not something you can do every day,” he said.

“It looks like it is going to be great weather – not just here but all across the country – so hopefully if all the sites have clear skies we will comfortably break the record.”

Participants will be able to view other phenomenon before and after the main event, with participants assembling at the ground from 5pm.

Every person must have their own equipment. Register online at Eventbrite.