London’s Science Museum is aiming to set a Guinness World Record by hosting the largest simultaneous performance of the famous Star Trek Vulcan salute.
The official record attempt will take place on 8 September during the museum’s Star Trek Lates event.
This forms part of a broader programme celebrating 60 years of the US sci-fi franchise, and includes the Star Trek Warp Trail, which guides attendees through a number of themed displays.
First shown on screen in a 1967 episode of the show’s original series, which aired from 1966 to 1969, the Vulcan salute is made by the alien lifeform, including Leonard Nimoy’s character Spock, by holding up a hand and separating the middle and the ring fingers.
Glyn Morgan, head of collections and principal curator at the Science Museum, said: “It feels very special to bring Star Trek fans together at the Science Museum for an official Guinness World Record attempt on Star Trek Day.
“For 60 years, Star Trek has connected bold storytelling with big questions about science, technology and what might be possible in the future, themes that sit at the heart of the Science Museum.
“After a popular Star Trek Lates earlier this year, we’re delighted to invite fans back for another evening exploring the ideas, imagination and real-world science behind the franchise, and a final opportunity to experience the Star Trek Warp Trail.”
open image in galleryIf the attempt is considered legitimate by an adjudicator, it will set the world record as one currently does not exist, with those attending urged to wear the Starfleet uniforms from the series if they have them.
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The Star Trek Warp Trail displays include the uniform belonging to chief engineer Scotty, played by Simon Pegg in 2009’s Star Trek film, as well as Admiral Jean-Luc Picard’s uniform, worn by Sir Patrick Stewart in the Paramount+ Star Trek: Picard TV series, which ran from 2020 to 2023.
Since launching in the 1960s, Star Trek has gone on to produce numerous TV series and films, including shows such as The Next Generation, which starred Sir Patrick, Deep Space Nine and Voyager, which starred Kate Mulgrew, and films across three different timelines.
open image in galleryThe free Star Trek Lates event will begin at 6pm on 8 September, while the Star Trek Warp Trail will run until 13 September at the South Kensington venue.