On World Metrology Day 2019 the International Primary Kilogram (IPK) held in a vault in France will no longer be the world’s standard reference for mass. Since metrication in 1972, New Zealand has been flying a 1 kilogram mass standard over to France every five years to be compared against the IPK. MSL will instead be referring to a defined constant of nature making the current reference 1 kilogram standard redundant. So, with the corner of its passport now clipped, MSLH have decided to ‘throw it away’ in true Kiwi competition style.
Julia Ratcliffe, New Zealand’s Commonwealth gold medallist hammer thrower definitely ‘measures up’ for the job of throwing the MSL’s 1 kilogram mass standard away! Julia normally throws a 4 kilogram hammer, so how far can she throw the1 kilogram mass standard hammer?
MSL scientists were let out of their laboratories to complete some field experiments and collect the measurement data. Watch this Youtube video to see how they got on.
The competition will be held as part of MSL's roadshow.
For further information: https://measurement.govt.nz/news-and-events/international-system-of-units-redefinition-2019/si-roadshow-competition
Download the competition terms and conditions: https://measurement.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/SI-Roadshow-Competition-rules.pdf
The winners will be announced at the World Metrology Day event in Wellington on Monday 20 May 2019.
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