Interplanetary simulation has never been this interactive and Kinect use has now entered a new grand scale. The Digistar 4 introduces an interactive planetarium wherein with the user’ gestures and body positioning, celestial bodies in simulation can be viewed and analyzed in a size that is overwhelming and one the invokes splendor. The Kinect is able to detect the user’s hand movements and then calibrate the images within the planetarium to suit the view demanded by the user. Exploring galactic systems, the rings of Saturn and even the various constellations can now be enjoyed with this interactive presence care of Digistar 4 and the Kinect. With this kind of development already present, expect to see the various science exhibits and halls with this interactive feature! A great Kinect program indeed.
Here is a brief description of the project by the developers:
“This provides a hands free way to interact with a dome theater / planetarium. The astronomy presenter can create a 180 degree on-dome menu interface to trigger different parts of their presentation, point to constellations and have them automatically appear, use hand gestures for daily motion, flying through space, etc.
Digistar 4 is a dome-based projection technology and advanced digital theater system. Digistar 4 redefines what’s possible in a digital planetarium with its sophisticated user interface, enhanced real time capabilities and a fully open architecture.”
For more information about the Kinect Digistar 4, visit the project’s Youtube Page.
We have a Digistar 5 w/Kinect. So far all we have been able to do is Pong, Saturn Fly Through and Boldly Go. Is there a special site that would give us access to information about how to use the Kinect to interact with constellations on the dome and/or sites that have used Kinect to explore the solar system or similar astronomy related explorations.