The IAU’s global event “100 Hours of Astronomy” is coming on 2-5 October!

From the 2–5th October, The Federation of Astronomical Societies (“FAS”) is supporting the IAU’s “100 Hours of Astronomy”. During this time people in 60+ countries will look up to the starry skies and learn about our Universe. 

You can join in with the FAS-supported 100 Hours Under One Sky mobile phone activity, which can be done from home. You can see how it works in this YouTube video. Users tackle four simple stargazing challenges to win badges and put their markers on the shared UK/Ireland map. All you need to do is go to the website at https://100hours.online .

Posters, social media images and videos are available for free download from the shared Google Drive space, alongside other resources including hands-on activities.

If you wish to run an event, simply display the Big Map webpage to participate. During the event this page will show social media images, and you will be able to see markers literally flying in as people across the UK and Ireland complete challenges. Zoom into your area and click your pin to view the individual markers won by your attendees.

The FAS is supporting the event by funding a TikTok campaign with the aim of reaching people who are not already interested in astronomy. Follow along at @100hours_stargazing, where the campaign starts next week. Some of these videos will cover general astronomy concepts and be appropriate for posting on other platforms too; these will be made available on the shared Google Drive for free use by societies.

Full details of the project and information about using the activity at events can be found on the 100 Hours Project Webpage.