“We’re expecting thousands of people to join us on Australia’s longest night, Sunday June 21, to help researchers create a map of Australia’s darkest skies, and learn about light pollution and its effect on people, animals, and astronomy,” Australasian Dark Sky Alliance chief executive Marnie Ogg said.
“Together, our observations will map how light pollution varies across Australia’s cities and regions, and make a Guinness World Record attempt for ‘Most users to take an online environmental sustainability lesson in 24 hours’.
Astronomer Professor Lisa Kewley, added: “The Australian night sky is amazing. Our galaxy, The Milky Way, is painted across the sky. It’s a view that encourages us to wonder what’s out there, amongst the billions of stars. It’s a view that encourages kids to take up science and physics. But most Australians can’t see it, their view of the sky is blinded by light pollution."
“Light pollution doesn’t just disrupt our view of The Milky Way. It disturbs wildlife, disrupt people’s sleep, and represents wasted electricity,” says Marnie.
The project is supported by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, which has produced The National Light Pollution Guidelines for Wildlife.
The record attempt starts from 1pm AEST on Sunday and follows night fall around the world.
All the submissions will be added to the international database of Globe at Night and participants from across the planet are welcome to take part.
For more information and to register, visit https://worldrecordlight.thinkific.com/.