Discover the Wonders of Space: Asteroids, Comets, and Meteorites

The project for our Interactive Communication Systems course challenged us to transform a simple book page from a children’s lexicon into a dynamic, engaging exhibit. Our topic, “Asteroids, Comets, and Meteorites,” delves into the fascinating world of these celestial objects, exploring their origins, characteristics, and significance within our solar system. Our goal was to create an immersive educational experience that would captivate visitors of all ages.

In our exhibit, we built the model of the solar system to a scale of 1:120,000,000, offering a realistic representation of the vast distances between celestial bodies. However, to ensure that the asteroids, comets, and meteorites were visible and detailed enough for educational purposes, we adapted the scale of these bodies to 1:10,000,000. This adjustment allows visitors to clearly see and appreciate the unique features of each object as they are displayed on the wall.

To enhance the interactive experience, we have integrated ESP boards to control the lighting in the models. These lights highlight key features and provide visual explanations of the orbits and characteristics of each celestial body. Additionally, these ESP boards are used to control Figma prototypes, providing a seamless blend of hardware and software interactivity.

Throughout the exhibit, you’ll find terminals where users can slide an iPad into a docking station. These interactive stations offer in-depth information, animations, and hands-on activities, allowing visitors to delve deeper into the science and stories behind asteroids, comets, and meteorites.