Astronomer to lecture non-stop for 140 hours to break world record
Norfolk astronomer Mark Thompson is getting ready to attempt to break the record for the world's longest marathon lecture. Photo: Denise Bradley - Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
A Norfolk astronomer is attempting to break the Guinness world record for the longest marathon lecture this month.
Mark Thompson, co-presenter of BBC Stargazing Live, hopes to break the current record of 139 hours, 42 minutes, and 56 seconds by lecturing non-stop for six days.
The astronomy broadcaster and author has previously given in after staying awake for two nights.
He said: "I stayed up for about 62 hours and then gave a one-hour lecture at the end of it all which let me see how well I'd cope with lecturing after depriving myself of sleep.
"There are two challenges here: Staying awake and keeping my voice working the whole time.
"I've been working with a vocal coach to learn some stretches and exercises to help with my voice."
For every hour of the challenge, the rules of the record allow the lecturer a five minute break.
The astronomer will eat a special diet for the event prepared by a nutritional advisor. - Credit: Archant
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To tackle the issue of sleep, Mr Thompson plans to save up his breaks.
He added: "I plan to talk for two hours, use five minutes of my break and save the other five.
"If I keep doing this, I'll eventually get to a point where I'll have 90 minutes to sleep.
"I can stop talking for up to 30 seconds when lecturing, but more than that and I'd have to consider it a break."
Mr Thompson's breaks will not be full of rest, however.
The lecturer will be taking on a variety of tasks to track how our body deals with a lack of sleep, including swallowing ingestible thermometers, performing cognitive tests and having his photo taken every two hours.
Mark Thompson at the Forum - Credit: Archant
The other important rule that affects the record is that the lecture must have an audience at all times.
The astronomer said: "The whole thing is going to be livestreamed on my YouTube but I’ve got to have an audience member at all times for it to be classed as a lecture.
"So, for the record to be broken I really need people to book and be a part of it."
The event will take place at the University of East Anglia and is completely free.
Tickets are available for four-hour slots and can be booked on Mr Thompson's website.
