Astronomical Imaging: Science Education

Transcription

1 Astronomical Imaging: Science Education Dr. Jake Noel - Storr (Advisor) Matt Greco & Jason Mitchell

2 What is the Digital Solar Explorer (DSE)? The DSE is based on the "Science on a Sphere" Exhibit A room sized, global display system that uses computers and projectors to display planetary data onto a six foot diameter sphere. Used in museums across the globe. Researchers at The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) developed Science On a Sphere as an educational tool to help illustrate Earth science to people of all ages.

3 What is the Digital Solar Explorer (DSE)? Problems with the "Science on a Sphere" (SOS) " Science on a Sphere" is too expensive to use in schools, small museums and other small institutions. SOS can not be easily transported from place to place, making it difficult to show off at different locations. SOS is more complicated to set up than conventional methods, using more than one projector and requiring vast computer knowledge.

4 What is the Digital Solar Explorer (DSE)? The Digital Solar Explore is a cheaper, simpler, and easier to use version of "Science on a Sphere". It costs significantly less It can be operated by anyone that can use a computer It can be moved to other locations and set up in minutes It is fun and interactive for people of all ages

5 What is the Digital Solar Explorer (DSE)? The Digital Solar Explorer consist of three main components: 1. Computer (Runs the program) 2. Projector (Projects image) 3. Sphere (Displays a "3D" rotating image) To make the DSE more interactive, the Nintendo Wiimote has been incorporated into the project. This allows users to rotate the image on the sphere and click on push pins with information, with just a flick of the wrist, or by clicking a button. *Not drawn to scale

6 What is the Digital Solar Explorer (DSE)? Tasks we worked on with the DSE include: Making it more user friendly by: o Increasing the size of the pushpins o Adjusting the color of the pushpins for a cleaner appearance o Editing the descriptions of the facts o Installing and using a program to make the Wiimote run smoother with the computer Creating guided tours with audio, around each skin

7 What is the Digital Solar Explorer (DSE)? The different skins on the DSE show the sun being viewed using different instruments that were put on the NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory spacecraft. Extreme Ultraviolet Variability Experiment (EVE) o Measures the solar extreme ultraviolet irradiance in high resolution. Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) o To view the photospheric magnetic field Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) o Most of the images came from the this instrument. It consists of four telescopes that image the Sun's atmosphere in multiple wavelengths.

8 What is the Digital Lunar Explorer (DLE)? The Digital Solar Explorer was made only to display the sun viewed from different types of imaging technology. Why not make a digital explorer for the moon? The Digital Lunar Explorer shares the same concept as the DSE, o it helps to educate people about the moon in an interactive way.

9 What is the Digital Martian Explorer (DME)? The Digital Martian Explorer is another example of how the DSE can be modified. We obtained facts from trustworthy websites and attached them to Mars to create a digital explorer.

10 Some Problems We Faced During The Internship 1. When creating the audio tours for the DSE, there were many interruptions when we needed silence. 2. Since Google Earth is a closed source program, there were limitations to what we could and could not do to the DSE. 3. It was difficult to find a skin for Mars and the Moon that would upload to the website

11 Solutions to the problems we faced 1. We made a "Do Not Enter" sign to keep visitors out. 2. Use other programs to get around some of the rules. 3. Try going to NASA website to find landscape photos.

12 Acknowledgments: Joe Pow Bob Callens Dr. Noel - Storr The Insight Lab, especially: Jeff Smith, Drew Lierheimer, Brandon Cole Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science RIT