Galilean Nights
Galilean Nights was a global star party event from Oct 22-24, 2009. Educators, amateur astronomers, science museums, scientists and many others took telescopes out into the open to show off the king of our fall skies – Jupiter! In Second Life, we joined in the global celebration by having special limited time exhibits on Jupiter. During this time, we had roughly 165 unique visitors who enjoyed learning about Jupiter, playing with a simulation of Jupiter and the Galilean Moons, watched the Let There Be Night planetarium show on Galileo, and viewed hourly updates of the view of Jupiter through our IYA2009 telescopes!
Entry way to the main Galilean Nights exhibit. Spiral staircase worked up to the platform for learning about Jupiter and playing with a 3D simulation of Jupiter and the Galilean Moons.
Upper platform with the 3D Jupiter and Galilean Moon model provided by Prospero Frobozz.
Meeting Jupiter as one walks up the spiral stairs.
A visitor learning about Jupiter. Since our 3D model was not to size scale - on the right side of this Snapshot you can see the scale model we provided to help with misconceptions on scale.
The Let There Be Night planetarium show on Galileo played in our amphitheater. Visitors could then visit the "set" leftover from making the film.
Our telescopes contained hourly images of the Jupiter and Galilean Moon system. Visitors were able to see transits and eclipses and moon shadows, just as how one would see through a real-life similarly sized telescope. Two of the main atmospheric bands were also visible. Users could choose the current view, or move ahead/backward to see how quickly the Galilean Moons move around our largest planet.
View in the telescope of Jupiter and the Galilean Moons. Can you see the shadow of one of the moons? Simulated images were taken from Starry Night Pro with shadow information confirmed with Sky and Telescope's Jupiter Moon Applet.
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