Territorians invited to make science history and partake in ‘out of this world’ selfie

TERRITORIANS have been invited to take part in a ‘Satellite Selfie’ by creating large designs, flags or logos in ovals, parks, backyards or other open spaces

Space Selfie satellite will fly over the NT this month.

ALICE Springs and wider NT residents are being encouraged to beam a message to Australia and the globe via space for the world’s largest “Satellite Selfie”.

As part of National Science Week and the Where You Are Festival presented by RISE Canberra and supported by the ACT Government, the National Science Week committee and Australian National University have organised for a satellite flyover this week.

The satellite will capture images from 770km above the Earth, creating a time capsule of the ACT, its surrounds and the NT.

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ANU astrophysicist Brad Tucker said the images would form the “ultimate, out-of-this-world selfie”.

“Nothing to this scale and this many people has ever been tried before in the world, let alone Australia,” Dr Tucker said.

“The Satellite Selfie is your chance to make history — particularly as we all deal with lockdown and a global pandemic. The importance of science has never been bigger.”

Families, schools, businesses, workplaces and cultural institutions are invited to take part.

“To be seen from space, the images need to be big and laid flat on the ground,” Dr Tucker said. “Letters would need to be a minimum of 2.5m x 3.5m, but you could also display large flags or your own designs.

“For the best results, use reflective materials like aluminium foil, or block colours such as red, white, orange or yellow.”

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In the NT, the satellite will capture Darwin and Palmerston, Pine Creek, Katherine, Nhulunbuy, Yirrkala, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Jilkmingan, Mataranka, Barunga, Beswick, Manyallaluk, Jabiru, Gunbalanya, Batchelor, Adelaide River, Ramingining and Ngukurr.

The satellite flyover will occur for only a few minutes between 10am and 11am next Wednesday and Friday.

Images from the flyover will be released in early September and will be shared with the National Library of Australia.

Visit inspiringtheact.org.au/satellite-selfie

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