Yerkes' Displays

Yerkes' displays are interactive or stationary displays that further students knowledge of our universe and get them involved when they visit the Observatory. We have worked on several displays.

Goal:

The goal of this project is to create a variety of interesting, informative displays that ultimately teach students more about our universe.

In the Works:

    • Infrared LED interactive display to use with cellphones. (Becca started it, James has upgraded it)
    • Interactive display that emphasizes the infinity of the universe.
    • Phases of the Moon game (Brittany)
      • Fun game designed to teach students the names of the different phases of the moon.
    • Film to promote YYSTARs high school program (Nathan)
      • A short trailer that shows what students do during Yerkes' YYSTARs high school group nights.

Details:

Infrared LED Display

The display is in the rotunda next to the gift shop. Visitors are able to run it and use their cellphones to see the pattern of Infrared LEDs.

Components:

Ideas/Questions:

    • Some other possible displays could be...
      • A short film about why Pluto is no longer a planet.
      • A display that shows off students' and astronomers' astrophotography taken at the Observatory. This display could also give a short blurb about what astrophotography is and its role at the Observatory. We could tie this into the plate vault and the SOFIA project.
      • It would be interesting to have a project dealing with solar and lunar eclipses; perhaps transits also.
      • It would be nice to have a feedback wall or system, so that students could give us ideas for new things they would want to learn about and then we could develop new displays based off what they say.
    • Does anyone have any ideas for displays?

Log:

    • Lit button has been added and power supply wires have been fixed. - James Cudworth, April 2013
    • SOFIA video is Finished - Samantha Brown, September 2011
    • Brittany takes charge of moon game, August 2011
    • Box painted - Samantha Brown, August 2011
    • Prototype Infrared LED display is finished - Grant Luberda, July 2011
    • SOFIA video begins - Samantha Brown, July 2011
    • Moon game - Samantha Brown, July 2011
    • Large box with lights - Samantha Brown, June 2011
    • Small personal boxes for SOFIA high school group- Samantha Brown, May 2011
    • Several larger prototypes- Samantha Brown, March 2011
    • Research and prototypes- Samantha Brown, February 2011
    • Idea for Infinity box- Samantha Brown, January 2011