SCOPE: Cosmus [Projects]

Most projects here are electronic visuals that can be used to help the public understand astronomical and cosmological concepts. But there are exceptions, such as visuals for other subjects and an evaluation of how these visuals have been used in a museum setting.

Some visuals are standalone and can be used as soon as they are downloaded. Others are interactive and require facilitation by someone while they are playing.

You are free to use any of our material you desire, we just ask that you credit us and, if possible, tell us you are using it with a quick email in the spirit of freeware, so that we know where our pieces are being used.

	Sloan Digital Sky Survey SDSS Galaxy Fly-through An interactive 3D view of the large scale structure of the universe. Data courtesy of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe. SDSS Movie A movie that takes the viewer from a terrestrial perspective at the Apache Point Observatory on to a fly through of galaxies at the edge of the universe. APO Walkthrough An interactive virtual visit to the Apache Point Observatory(APO), home of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Stereo Photographs Another virtual tour of the APO, based on photographs taken by Jurek Krzesinski. Back to top of page
	VERITAS - Telescope Array VERITAS Walkthough An interactive virtual visit to one of the gamma ray telescopes from the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) that is under construction in southern Arizona. Stereo Photographs Another virtual tour of the VERITAS sites, present and future, at the Whipple and Kitt Peak Observatories, based on photographs taken by Brian Humensky. Back to top of page
	Stereo Photography Archive SDSS/Apache Point Observatory taken by Jurek Krzesinski VERITAS/Whipple & Kitt Peak Observatories taken by Brian Humensky SZA/Owens Valley Radio Observatory taken by Chris Greer (non-stereo photos: 1, 2) Back to top of page
	Other Astronomical Visualizations Earth at Night 3D views of the Earth in the night and day, past and present. Milky Way A model of the Milky Way that isn't a simple photograph. Milky Way Stars The stars nearest to Earth in the Milky Way. Back to top of page
	Evaluation of Museum Exhibits
	Visitor Engagement in GeoWall Exhibits Joi Podgorny's 2003-4 Masters Thesis on "Studying Visitor Engagement in Virtual Reality Based Children's Science Museum Exhibits". This site contains her thesis, observations, and other explanations. Back to top of page
	Works in Progress Mad Libs Using metaphors to teach cosmological concepts (needs Shockwave player - only for Windows/Mac platforms). Back to top of page

Sloan Digital Sky Survey

SDSS Movie

VERITAS - Telescope Array

Stereo Photography Archive

Other Astronomical Visualizations

Evaluation of Museum Exhibits

Works in Progress