Update
Green Point Observatory at Oyster Bay helped smash the world record for the most people stargazing at multiple venues at one time.
The 342 participants were among more than 40,000 at 250 locations across Australia, who took part in the event on Wednesday, May 23.
The previous Guinness World Record, which was also set in Australia, in 2015, was 7960 people across 37 sites.
Organisers are still validating evidence from all venues before releasing the exact number.
Sutherland Astronomical Society president Craig Goulden said Green Point Observatory held the only Star Party in Sutherland Shire and St George,
“It was a great night for everyone, with lots of kids excited about the stars and planets, and particularly the moon, which was the focus of attention for the record attempt,” he said.
“I think a lot of people were surprised they could see Jupiter and its moons through a very small telescope.
“As Brian Cox pointed out during the ABC television program, some of these kids will go on to lead productive careers in astronomy and science because they were inspired by what they learned that night.”
The next events being held by the society are a nine-week Practical Astronomy Course, starting on August 1 and Public Open Nights on Friday and Saturday, August 16-17.
Visit: sasi.net.au
Earlier
A star party will be held at Green Point Observatory on May 23 as part of an attempt to set a new world record for the most people stargazing at multiple venues at one time.
The observatory at Oyster Bay joined in setting the present Guinness World Record on August, 21, 2015, which was 7960 people across 37 sites.
Australian National University (ANU) is partnering with the ABC Stargazing Live program, with Professor Brian Cox, in the new bid, centred on Mount Stromlo Observatory on Wednesday, May 23.
Sutherland Astronomical Society’s star party at Green Point Observatory runs from 7pm to 10pm.
The society is hoping for an even bigger number of stargazers than the 227 who took part three years ago.
By Monday, May 14, a total of 165 registrations had been received and the number was expected to easily double.
Entry is free but bookings are necessary and, for world record setting purposes, each person must have a telescope or binoculars.
A telescope can be bought for $7.15 when registering.
The observatory will have a big screen showing the ABC broadcast.
A sausage sizzle will be run by 1st Oyster Bay Scouts.
The firm Sky-Watcher will give away a Dobsonian telescope as a lucky door prize.
Bookings via SASI.net.au with May 22 the closing date.