Scientists are jumping on asteroids and visiting other planets; Here is how
Produced by: Tarun Mishra
VR Experience at ASA Meeting
The 2024 Astronomical Society of Australia's Annual Scientific Meeting featured a unique VR experience allowing attendees to explore the asteroid Ryugu and the Hayabusa2 spacecraft. This meeting, held in June, was conducted almost entirely online using the Spatial platform.
Avatar Interaction
Participants used digital avatars to interact with the VR environment. One attendee described their avatar jumping onto the Hayabusa2 spacecraft and floating momentarily in the low gravity before touching down on Ryugu's surface.
Virtual Mars Dune Alpha Habitat
The VR environment included Mars Dune Alpha, a 1,700-square-foot 3D-printed habitat. This simulated Mars outpost aimed to replicate the conditions of a real Martian habitat for the CHAPEA-1 mission.
OmniScope's Role
OmniScope, a start-up founded by astronomer Sasha Kaurov, created the Ryugu model using real imagery from Hayabusa2. Although not a perfect replica, it accurately represented the spacecraft’s landing zone and the surrounding area.
JAXA's Involvement
JAXA professor Elizabeth Tasker led a tour of the VR exhibit, highlighting the detailed models of Hayabusa2 and its lander and rovers. The digital 3D model allowed participants to examine specific features of the spacecraft up close.
Scientific and Educational Tool
The VR experience emphasized the potential of virtual reality as a tool for science outreach and education. It provided an immersive way to explore distant celestial bodies, enhancing understanding of planetary science.
Interactivity and Exploration
Participants could explore the surface of Ryugu, although the model did not cover the entire asteroid. Tasker noted that users could easily run off the edge of the asteroid in the low gravity environment, leading to a temporary virtual fall into space.
Impact on Understanding
Experiencing the asteroid surface in VR created a lasting impression. It offered a tangible appreciation of the challenges in landing on a small, distant rock, something that traditional presentations could not achieve.
AR & VR
The use of VR at the ASA meeting showcased its potential to bring distant worlds closer, allowing researchers and enthusiasts to explore and understand them in ways previously unimaginable.