PUBBLICAZIONI
An engaging solution for the outreach of cosmic-rays science? The innovative “Flashes” web-game!
S. Iovenitti, S. Orsenigo
Introducing cosmic-ray science to the general public is a challenging task. In particular, the operating principles of Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs) may result confusing and puzzling to students who wonder why these huge optical instruments cannot take beautiful images of astronomical sources. To overcome this issue and learn about IACT astronomy, we propose an innovative solution which is particularly modern and engaging: “Flashes”, an educational game on a web application developed ad-hoc by the cultural association PhysicalPub. “Flashes” is based on the physics behind the Cherenkov technique. Atmospheric flashes recorded by IACTs have different shapes depending on their source: hadron, gamma, muon or “else” (car flashes, sky background, electronic noise, and others). In our game, the player is presented with Cherenkov images from real scientific data and simulations, and must classify them according to their origin, trying to mimic the real image discrimination analysis. The game is divided into several sessions, each dedicated to one IACT among the main ones currently in operation: ASTRI-Horn, MAGIC, and LST-1 (Large-Sized Telescope prototype for the CTAO). In every session, the player has one minute to recognize the highest number of images and get the highest score. Several topics related to science education are involved, such as critical thinking, artificial intelligence, and uncertainty of science. “Flashes” supports multiple-player sessions and includes an introduction that educators may use for preparatory explanations. “Flashes” is accessible using a URL from any internet-connected personal device. It is completely free and does not require any account.
https://bib-pubdb1.desy.de/record/600672/files/ICRC2023_1622.pdf
“Astronomy for sailors”: a web game to learn physics using the stars and a clock
S Iovenitti, G Verna, S Orsenigo, F Chirico, R Sgarro, S Tosi and E Santopinto
If you were on a boat in the middle of the sea how could you guess your position using just the stars and a clock? This is the challenge for hundreds of students at our interactive astronomy workshop in the context of the Genoa Science Festival held in Genoa (Italy) in 2021. Visitors played on the web application Astronomy for sailors which we developed from scratch. They could estimate their latitude and longitude in a virtual environment by measuring the altitude of the Sun above the horizon at solar noon and by using a marine chronometer. By recognising the brightest circumpolar constellations, they could learn how to find the North Star. The workshop included also an interdisciplinary section regarding orientation techniques in the animal world, ancient times and modernity. In this contribution we present the workshop’s activities, highlighting their original and innovative aspects. We report on the positive feedback from students and teachers who actively played with celestial navigation during our workshop. Around 600 people have visited us and the web application Astronomy for sailors is still available online for free.
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/2750/1/012035
Astro-photography as an effective tool for Outreach and Education: IACTs in exposition
S. Iovenitti, C. Righi, S. Orsenigo and R. Sgarro
In our epoch, images are a powerful way to convey a message to a large audience. Through the use of amazing astronomical photographs, science can be communicated effectively at different levels, to a very diverse audience of all ages. In fact, astrophotography combines aesthetic appeal with the illustration of the science behind astronomical phenomena. This is the aim of the exhibit “A che Punto è la NOTTE - A scientific exhibition of astrophotography” organized by us in Italy, in October 2020, with the partnership of the cultural association PhysicalPub. Many different authors, both single individuals and professional or amateur observatories, were asked to send their best pictures. The 54 astronomical images chosen by a scientific committee, categorised in three different topics (night landscape, deep sky, instrumentation), were seen by more than 2000 visitors and 11 school groups (despite the difficult period due to the COVID pandemic). A free audio-guide, available on-line through a web-application developed on purpose, delivered scientific explanations of images for self-guided tours. Conferences and guided tours were also organized. The highlight of the exhibit were four mirrors from the MAGIC telescope and an ASTRI scale-model that allowed an in-depth description of how an Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescope (IACT) works, introducing the science of VHE cosmic radiation. We will summarize the main difficulties in organizing this event and the feedback we had from the visitors. The exhibit is still available online, visiting the website mostrascientifica.it or via the web audio-guide (english and italian) at guida.physical.pub
Cosmos-lovers’ symphonic guide to the galaxy
S. Iovenitti, R. Jais and D. Beretta
In the past, several authors highlighted analogies between classical music and astronomy fundamentals, comparing acoustic and melody features with the characteristics of cosmic objects. However, we believe that a more profound connection between the two disciplines can be explored, considering the harmonic structure and the formal arrangement of symphonic compositions. This new approach can provide a more insightful understanding of both music theory and astrophysics, inspiring both music and physics lovers. In this contribution, we present the format and content of the event “Cosmos-lovers’ symphonic guide to the galaxy”, a show imagined and conceived on the basis of this new perspective on the valuable binomial of music and astronomy. During this event, astrophysicist Simone Iovenitti and orchestra conductor Ruben Jais present the analogies between the universe’s evolution and symphonies by Rebel, Rameau, and Ives, played by the Symphonic Orchestra of Milan. Images, animations, and videos are projected in the concert hall both during explanations and the live performance, ensuring a very immersive experience to the audience.
https://www.sif.it/riviste/sif/ncc/econtents/2023/046/05/article/44