Starscope
2018
Audio-Tactile Astronomy Device
Project | Starscope is a staff that allows the holder to hear
real sounds of stars and other astronomical bodies in the sky.
It began as a project to help our visually impaired friends participate in stargazing and hobbyist astronomy, however, it has proved to be a fantastic tool for sighted stargazers as well.
Team | Harvard GSD: Maggie George, Agatha Park, MIT: Stephan Hernandez, Xiaoyan Shen, Yang Liu
Role | Product design, prototype fabrication (Fusion 360), logo design, concept video script and editing
Concept Video
Product Details
The Starscope uses GPS, a gyroscope, and star location data to create a “hit field” of sound around important stars, so that users can find and pinpoint the appropriate sector of the sky by the strength of the sound emitted and the vibration of the staff.
Starscope draws on data from astrophysics research, including asteroseismological recordings and light graphs converted to audio, providing the user access to the sounds of the universe. Some space sounds can get a bit scary, so there is also a “musical” setting of delicate notes and chords. Starscope reveals the symphony of the night sky.
design & fabrication Process
