New signpost in Bristol enables public to teach themselves about space
January 2006
Bringing the solar system to life in Bristol is the new Space Signpost, launched on 27 January by Futurelab and Dawn Primarolo, Labour MP for Bristol South. Installed outdoors in At-Bristol's Millennium Square, the signpost makes space science accessible to everyone - allowing people to chart their own path through the cosmos using a touchscreen interface.
The mechanised signpost has a moving arm that points to objects that users select, providing real time information and easily understandable analogies that compare the conditions on other planets to life on Earth. They will be drawn into an animated 3D journey on screen which takes them to the planet, asteroid, satellite or spacecraft of their choice, illuminated by a virtual sun. At the same time, the signpost moves to show the direction in which their chosen object lies at that precise moment and displays the changing distance between the object and the signpost.
The originator of the Space Signpost is Dr Adam Nieman, a specialist in science communication. With support from Futurelab, an organisation based in Bristol dedicated to researching, developing and evaluating new technologies for learning, the signpost has grown from an idea to something that everyone can use to explore and teach themselves about space.
Annika Small, Managing Director of Futurelab: "We hope that people crossing Millennium Square for work will leave five minutes early or head there with their sandwiches at lunchtime, in order to stop by the signpost to find out something new."
Research by Futurelab revealed that many people find space confusing. Adam Nieman was not surprised: "It is easy to lose track of where we are in space because everything is moving - especially the Earth. Space Signpost makes space geography simple. The computer keeps track of where everything is, so users don't have to." He continues: "Although Space Signpost can tell you a lot about astronomy, its main job is just to allow you to feel at home in the cosmos."
In the future, it is hoped that we will see more Space Signposts across the country, in city centres and public spaces so that people, wherever they are, can realise that space is a part of their lives, just as much as the town they live in.
In addition to the Signpost in Millennium Square a portable version has been developed for use in schools and science centres. For further information on the Space Signpost project, visit www.futurelab.org.uk/projects/space_signpost and www.spacesignpost.com.