SOLar STORM VR: TRAVEL through a solar storm
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Solar storms are among the most impressive events occurring in our solar system. They emanate from the Sun's atmosphere, and can impact human societies, as they can be a threat to satellites and electricity grids. Hence the necessity to monitor them and understand them better! Solar Storm VR is a virtual reality experience that let you witness the birth of a solar storm at the Sun, its journey in the solar system and how it impacts the solar system (and Earth!). It is a fun movie immersion experience that inspires, enthuses and educates the public about space science, and in particular solar storms. The first of the series, Solar Storm VR (or SSVR) was created when the worlds of a scientist (Miho) and a film maker (Tom) collided. At the time, no public VR headset was commercialised, so SSVR was created for the headset available then, the Oculus DK2. How the world has changed! With little money but a big passion, SSVR was born thanks to a public engagement grant from the UK STFC. SSVR has now travelled to many festivals and can also be watched in the comfort of your own home. |
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Solar Storm VR is a beautiful yet informative experience, and it made me aware of how important space weather is. - Heather, 19, London
Solar stormsSolar storms are big clouds of charged particles travelling from the Sun, and originating in energetic events called solar flares. These space hurricanes travel in the solar system and as they swipe the natural magnetic shield of our planet on their way, they create large disruptions. As satellites can be damaged by high-energy particles, telecommunications and GPS systems can be disturbed. In extreme events, solar storms can also be at the origin of electricity blackouts. With our societies relying more and more on electricity and telecommunication systems, it is important to understand how solar storms are generated, how they propagate and how they affect us.
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real dataSolar Storm VR uses scientific data from current space missions such as the ESA and NASA funded space missions Solar Dynamics Observatory, STEREO and SOHO. We also present some data from the latest research in the field, from computer simulations to models. However, by mixing these contents with visual effects, we have created a highly cinematographic result not often seen in educational contents.
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Experience Solar Storm VR
Solar Storm VR was presented exclusively at a few science festivals in 2016 (Smashfest UK, International Edinburgh Science Festival, The Times Cheltenham Science Festival). However, since 2017, Solar Storm VR is freely available for downloads.
Virtual reality headsetsCreated for virtual reality headsets such as the Oculus Rift or the HTC VIVE, as well as VR cardboards, Solar Storm VR can be directly downloaded.
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YOUTUBE 360Solar Storm VR is also viewable directly from YouTube 360. Click the link below.
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To look at the video, download GoPro VR, a free 360° video player (it should automatically recognise the headset when plugged in).
(To setup the stereoscopic view correctly, go to Preferences>General Settings>Input Stereoscopy>SideA|SideB) (Note that you can also watch the movie directly on your computer with GoPro VR and without headsets) |
Enter the link: you should be able to see the video in 360° by turning your smartphone/tablet around on the Youtube app (or some internet browsers such as Google Chrome)
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Fundings
Solar Storm VR first developments were funded by the Science and Technology Facilities Council Public Outreach Grant in the United Kingdom.
Further developments were funded by the Société Française d'Astronomie et d'Astrophysique and by the Université Paris-Saclay Diagonale Paris-Saclay public engagement grants.
Further developments were funded by the Société Française d'Astronomie et d'Astrophysique and by the Université Paris-Saclay Diagonale Paris-Saclay public engagement grants.
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