Awards & Nominations
Starlight has received the following awards and nominations. Way to go!
STARLIGHT
High-Level Project Summary
In this challenge we developed a mobile application that allows the user to learn about the different types of stellar variability and shows how stars are always changing in an educational and enjoyable way. Our app allows the user to search and filter star types, add stars to favorites, read information about stars in story or flashcard mode, and observe a desired type of star in a 3D hologram in any type of electronic device. Starlight is important because it allows any type of person to learn in a dynamic way and offers a realistic experience to the user.
Link to Final Project
Link to Project "Demo"
Detailed Project Description
Starlight is a mobile app that creates an intergalactic experience to the user, allowing them to learn in an interactive way about stellar variability and how dynamic the night sky is through various functions. We created a friendly and inclusive interface so that any type of person can access and interact with the app.
Our app is really simple, where the user can select whether they want to access the "Favorites" section, a search filter, and a main menu.
- Favorites section
Here the user is able to see every star that they have previously marked as favorite.
- Search filter
Search feature that allows the user to look up stars with the help of a filter, which includes the following parameters:
- Color
- Brightness
- Distance from Earth
- Variability type
- Main menu
In this menu the user can choose between 3 options:
- About us:
Brief introduction and description about the app.
- DIY Hologram
Guided tutorial of how to make a hologram at home so the user can visualize the star in a 3D experience.
- Choose star
Option menu where the user is able to select what type of star they'd like to learn about.
With it's friendly UI, Starlight offers easy access to everyone around the world to relevant information about the stars that surround us, providing knowledge in an interactive way and help them to learn easily. Our goal is to generate an experience that inspires people to learn even more about space science, as well as to show that complex topics aren't that complicated if thought in a fun and creative way.
We used Adobe Xd for our app prototype, Canva for the app design and Blender for 3D modelling, CapCut for video editing, as well as CD jewel cases to build the hologram prototype.
Space Agency Data
- https://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/questions/cepheids.html.
- https://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/science/objects/cataclysmic_variables.html
- https://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/science/toolbox/timing1.html
- https://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/W3Browse/all/gcvs.html
- https://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/tess/software.html
- https://donnees-data.asc-csa.gc.ca/dataset/38804261-6p9g-5g8r-622yqwm106ks22
Hackathon Journey
In this challenge we lived a really interesting and cool experience with a lot of learning outcomes. Every single team member took a dive into this challenge with little to no experience in app development or 3D design, and we had a lot of fun learning about these topics. It's important to mention that it is our first hackathon as well, so we were really nervous and excited to learn more things about space and science applications.
We would also like to thank the mentors present for guiding and aiding us during the duration of the event as well as for being patient with our questions
References
Software:
- Blender (https://www.blender.org/)
- Adobe Xd (https://www.adobe.com/mx/products/xd.html)
- Canva (https://www.canva.com)
- Capcut (https://www.capcut.com/)
Resources:
- Textures
https://www.fddb.org/fulldome-images/nasa-solar-dynamics-observatory-sun-at-30-4nm/
https://www.solarsystemscope.com/textures/
https://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/blue-sun-3d-model-1808920
Tags
#stars #software #spaceappshmo