Credit: American Museum of Natural History
Beyond Planet Earth: The Future of Space Exploration opens today, organized by the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
The just-opened exhibit launches visitors into the exciting future of space exploration as it boldly examines humanity’s next steps “out there” in our solar system and beyond.
Visitors will be treated to a vision of the future of space travel as it boldly explores our next steps in our solar system and beyond. The exhibition takes visitors on humanity’s journey to explore the next frontier, either ourselves or via robotic proxies, which have already traveled to every planet in our solar system.
In addition, future missions highlighted in Beyond Planet Earth — once limited to the realm of science fiction but today discussed by leading scientists and engineers — include building a space elevator on the surface of the Moon, deflecting a hazardous near-Earth asteroid, and traveling to Mars—perhaps even establishing colonies there.
“Beyond Planet Earth is one of the most ambitious exhibitions on the future of space travel ever attempted,” said Michael Novacek, senior vice president and provost for science at the Museum.
Augmented reality
Those attending the museum exhibit will find sections on space tourism; returning to the Moon; exploring asteroids; voyaging to Mars; as well as travel within and beyond our solar system.
The exhibit runs from November 19, 2011 to August 12, 2012. Beyond Planet Earth is made possible through the sponsorship of Lockheed Martin, along with the backing of other groups.
Before attending the exhibition, visitors can download a free augmented reality (AR) app for iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad created exclusively for Beyond Planet Earth.
The app, Beyond Planet Earth Augmented Reality, can be used to activate 11 AR icons located throughout the exhibition, which unlocks animations and allows visitors to share images via email, Facebook, and Twitter in addition to accessing a special site with additional space-themed links.
The icons and links, as well as a short video detailing the exhibit, can be found here:
http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/beyond/
By Leonard David