Solar Magnetism Exhibit

This project was a continuation of the course ATLS 4519: Design a Science Exhibit. This class prototyped ideas for installation at Fiske Planetarium, after which, I and four other students were hired to create a final exhibit. The installation is inspired by coronal loops that leap from the surface of the sun. It illustrates the sun’s shifting and dynamic surface in order to teach people a little more about solar magnetism in an immersive and fun environment. The final product invites visitors to walk through glowing archways representing coronal loops while stepping on the ‘surface of the sun’ - a six-foot by ten-foot custom LED display. 

The floor consists of a large LED grid evenly spaced by laser cut MDF panels diffused by a layer of plastic on top to support the patrons walking on it. A processing sketch written by one of the team members and loaded onto a Raspberry Pi informs the display on the panels and Adafruit Fadecandys drive the LED strips on both the floor and the loops. This was a large and complex project. My role was collaborating in the design and prototyping and constructing on the panels.