Foothill College Astronomy Simulations
Foothill College AstroSims
The Foothill Astrosims project aims to support astronomy education by:
- Updating existing educational simulations from Flash to Javascript, and
- Develop new simulations to address topics formerly unsupported by the Astronomy Education community
- Curating extant browser-accessible educational simulations
Our Simulations
We are steadily working on new simulations. Visit our curated COMPENDIUM OF ASTRO-EDUCATION SIMULATIONS.
Who are we?
PI: Geoff Mathews, Ph.D. (mathewsgeoff@foothill.edu)
Development lead: Baba Kofi Weusijana, Ph.D. (weusijanababakofi@fhda.edu)
Development team, Winter and Spring 2020: Chris Achenbach, Safi Mohammed, Andrew Tran
Publications
Visit our poster from the American Astronomical Society's 236th meeting, held online June 1 through 3, 2020
Retired sims
We have retired our Lookback time simulation, because we added no additional functionality in our re-implementation and the University of Nebraska team has made their own Javascript re-implementation.
Other Astronomy Simulations
We maintain a collection of astro-education simulations for students and teachers, covering a wide range of topics. Simulations include modern HTML5 versions, Flash/Java (with emulation), and Python-based interactives.
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Nebraska Astronomy Applet Project (UNL): Large library of Flash simulations now online via Ruffle; some HTML5 versions available – Legacy UNL Sims
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Columbia University: Rebuilt several UNL simulations in JavaScript; guidance for conversions available.
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University of New Mexico: Simulations by Kevin Dilts on various astronomy topics.
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GEAS Project (NMSU): Labs and simulations including HR Diagram Explorer & galactic redshift simulator.
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PhET Simulations: Physics-focused, many useful for astronomy (e.g., Gravity & Orbits).
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Open Source Physics: Numerous JavaScript astronomy simulations.
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ScienceSims (CCNY): Collection of astronomy simulations.
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Andrew Duffy (Boston University): JavaScript simulations, including spectroscopy & optics.
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Michael Fowler (UVA): HTML5 astronomy simulations.
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Kevin Healy (Mesa CC): Bayes simulator, stellar spectrum visualizer, galaxy redshift viewer, terrestrial world density simulator.
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King’s Centre for Visualization in Science: HTML5 simulations, climate and astronomy topics.
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JavaLab & High Adventure Science: Planet hunting, climate simulations, and general science interactives.
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Earth Space Lab: Simulations on seasons, orbits, and scale.
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Society for Astronomy Visualization and Education: Gravity & orbit simulations.
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SpectraCalc: Advanced atmospheric modeling tools.
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AstroApps & VisAstro (Thomas Müller): 3D visualizations of classical and modern astronomy topics.
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Other notable collections: Brian Mulligan, oPhysics (Tom Walsh), Mathematica/Wolfram Cloud, GeoAstro (Juergen Giesen), SimuFisica, NetLogo models, Python Astro Interactives, Flash ExoLab (Harvard).
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RGB Image Constructor: Heather Flewelling, uses Pan-STARRS data.
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Optics Ray-Tracing App: Rick Tu.
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Flat-Earth Simulator: Demonstrates sun size & altitude in a flat Earth model.
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Star in a Box: Las Cumbres Global Telescope Network, tracks stellar evolution.
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ChromaStar: Ian Short, star + habitable zone simulator.
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100,000 Stars (Go 1.9): Visualization of nearby stars.
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Super Planet Crash: Game-like n-body solar system simulator.
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Planetary Climate Simulators: NASA NExSS ROCKE-3D & Earth Life Science Institute versions.
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Planetary Spectrum Generator: Advanced tool for planetary spectra.
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Flash Impact Earth Simulator: Includes text-only version.
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Interactive Comet Animation: Windows to the Universe; adjust comet orbits & tails.
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Rotation Curve Tool: Thomas Moore, dark matter model fitting.
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Orbit in Curved Spacetime: John Walker.
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VIGOR Binary Black Hole Simulator: UT Dallas, shows spatial distortions & gravitational waves.
Please email us with other simulations to include on the list! Contact Geoff Mathews at mathewsgeoff@foothill.edu
SupportAstroSims was supported in Winter and Spring quarters of 2020 by a Foothill College Equity and Innovation Grant. |
Contact UsDavid Marasco, Astronomy Department ChairBuilding 4400, Office 4405650.949.7492 marascodavid@foothill.edu |
