Celestial Sphere
The “Celestial Sphere” is an educational and interactive astronomy tool. It contains 15 constellations, with 117 stars.
I have always been fascinated by the lights. I was born and raised in Abu Dhabi, a city constantly clouded by light pollution, so visiting my small hometown in Jordan was something I looked forward to every summer, and stars were a big reason behind that. To look up and be taken by the cosmos was mesmerizing, so was to think about whether this vast universe makes us minute relative to its size or enormous because we are part of it.
“Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet.”
Stephen Hawking
Me on a star gazing adventure, 2018 Hamza Astronomical Environmental Camp
This specific project was inspired by a conversation I had with several kids that live in the city and are surrounded by light pollution. It was heartbreaking for me to see that they live under the mesmerizing stars, yet they can’t gaze at them nor know anything about the epic stories behind each constellation.
Using a rotary encoder and a screen, users can switch the constellations on and off to see their relative places and learn more about them.
