World Record attempt this weekend as Our Place in Space arrives in Derry

Opening on Friday, Our Place in Space will animate the riverside in Derry for four weeks, and will feature an ‘epic’ programme of events.

The trail begins with the sun in Bay Road Park and moves south along the river Foyle, running through the city centre, before heading across the lower deck of Craigavon bridge to the Waterside greenway to Pluto. The entire length is 8.4km and it takes around 2.5 to 3 hours to complete but can be completed over several days. Translink have come onboard to provide a free shuttle bus every day with the first pick up point starting at the NW Transport Hub rail station, hourly on weekdays from 10.30am to 1.30pm and 4.30pm to 7.30pm and at weekends and bank holidays every half hour from 10.30am to 7.30pm.

The route includes pick up points at Foyle Arena, Madam’s Bank Road car park (near Caw roundabout), Fort George bus stop and Queen’s Quay (opposite Quay West restaurant).

Derry’s Guildhall will host one of the various other free family friendly events this Friday, Earth Day, at 7pm featuring artist Oliver Jeffers, astrophysicist Professor Stephen Smartt and space scientist Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock to look at our planet and its place in the universe. For free tickets and more information download the app ourplaceinspace.earth/get-the-appMeanwhile, the Nerve Centre and YouTube star Adam B are calling out for volunteers to come together this Saturday to take part in a world record attempt for the most people dressed as astronauts, as part of the launch weekend of Our Place in Space.

A spokesperson said the event was “open to space travellers of all ages”, adding: “This is your chance to be involved in a cosmic mission and become a world breaker. The spacesuits worn must meet strict criteria as set out by Guinness World Records. A series of workshops will take place leading up to the attempt, providing you all with the materials needed to create your own costume.

“Unfortunately, character costumes such as Buzz Lightyear cannot be counted in the official attempt. Buzz’s official title is space ranger - not astronaut. Instead why not style your own costume at one of our costume making workshops, or purchase a pre-made outfit?”

Workshops will be held on Wednesday, April 20, at Foyleside Shopping Centre food court from 10am to 4pm and on Thursday, April 21 at the Nerve Centre, Magazine Street from 10am to 4pm.

For the costume checklist, see ourplaceinspace.earth/whats-on/astronomical-world-record-attempt