The scale and complexity of our solar system can be difficult to convey to museum visitors. Ideum and Nashville's Adventure Science Center teamed up to create a multifaceted exhibit that explores the wonder and scope of our solar system. This exhibit installation uses an impressive five-foot Magic Planetspherical display along with four traditional monitors that provide captioning and present additional imagery. A full audio program accompanies the graphic displays.

 

The five-foot spherical display tells the story of the solar system with spherical representations of the planets and their moons. Individual stations allow visitors to discover information about specific planets and points within the solar system. The program runs automatically throughout the day to provide tours of the solar system.

 

Ideum also developed an override system that allows docents to control the Magic Planet and associated imagery through a wireless tablet PC. This custom-built application allows docents to provide personal tours through the solar system.

 

The exhibit, developed in Adobe Flash, is modular and extensible. It makes extensive use of XML, allowing staff to quickly update the program. This exhibit is part of the new expansion of the Adventure Science Center's Space Chase Gallery.