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| Home > Publications database > HANDS-ON VIRTUAL COSMOLOGY WITH GRAVITATIONAL LENSING IN CELESTIA.SCI |
| Contribution to a conference proceedings/Internal Report | PUBDB-2015-00701 |
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2014
International Astronautical Federation (IAF), Verlag
Report No.: IAC-14-E1.4.1
Abstract: This paper describes a project undertaken at the International Space University (ISU) Master of Space Studiesprogram between 2013-2014. The project aimed to create an open-source educational tool for studying gravitationallensing phenomena from arbitrary points in space and time. Gravitational lensing (GL) is a phenomenon by which lightrays are bent by gravitational sources due to General Relativity. While existing work in the field has focused on theuse of GL as a tool for mapping dark matter and detecting exoplanets, we aimed instead to help students understandintuitively how GL works and how it can be applied in cosmological and exoplanetary research. Similar software inthe past has been used to teach concepts of Special Relativity and black holes. We implemented GL in celestia.Sci, a3d, interactive simulation of Space extending from the scale of spacecraft around Earth and the Solar System, into deepspace and the cosmological regime. Educational exercises were designed around the new feature, and a workshop forISU students was created to allow hands-on experience with detecting exoplanets using GL. Finally, the open-sourcenature of the software allows us to reach a potentially wider audience by allowing any user on the Internet to freelydownload the source code and exercises, understand the program logic, and run the exercises independently. The endresult is enhanced user understanding of an important astrophysical phenomenon, and an increased appreciation ofastrophysics, astrobiology, and the visual beauty of Space.
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