An interactive gravitational-wave detector model for museums and fairs
An interactive gravitational-wave detector model for museums and fairs
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DOI：
10.1119/10.0003534
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发表时间：
2020-04
影响因子：
0.9
通讯作者：
S. Cooper;A. Green;H. Middleton;C. Berry;R. Buscicchio;E. Butler;C. Collins;C. Gettings
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
S. Cooper;A. Green;H. Middleton;C. Berry;R. Buscicchio;E. Butler;C. Collins;C. Gettings
2015年首次观测到引力波标志着天体物理学和技术研发的突破。10亿光年外的两个黑洞碰撞产生的引力波信号的发现引起了媒体和公众的极大兴趣。我们描述了一个专门建造的展览的发展，解释这一新的研究领域的普通观众。展览的核心元素是一个工作的迈克尔逊干涉仪：一个缩小版的关键技术用于引力波探测器。迈克尔逊干涉仪被集成到一个动手展览中，允许用户互动和模拟引力波观测。互动展示通过视频、动画、图像和文字提供了引力波相关主题的自我指导解释。我们详细介绍了用于创建展览的硬件和软件，并讨论了两种安装变体：在博物馆环境中的独立学习体验（伯明翰智库科学博物馆），以及有专家指导的科学节（2017年皇家学会夏季科学展）。我们评估观众在这两种情况下的接待，描述我们已经取得了这些信息的改进，并讨论未来的公众参与项目，从这项工作。该展览被认为是有效的沟通新的和陌生的领域的引力波的研究，以一般观众。一个附带的网站提供了零件列表和信息，供其他人建立自己的版本的这个展览。
In 2015 the first observation of gravitational waves marked a breakthrough in astrophysics, and in technological research and development. The discovery of a gravitational-wave signal from the collision of two black holes, a billion light-years away, received considerable interest from the media and public. We describe the development of a purpose-built exhibit explaining this new area of research to a general audience. The core element of the exhibit is a working Michelson interferometer: a scaled-down version of the key technology used in gravitational-wave detectors. The Michelson interferometer is integrated into a hands-on exhibit, which allows for user interaction and simulated gravitational-wave observations. An interactive display provides a self-guided explanation of gravitational-wave related topics through video, animation, images and text. We detail the hardware and software used to create the exhibit, and discuss two installation variants: an independent learning experience in a museum setting (the Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum), and a science-festival with the presence of expert guides (the 2017 Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition). We assess audience reception in these two settings, describe the improvements we have made given this information, and discuss future public-engagement projects resulting from this work. The exhibit is found to be effective in communicating the new and unfamiliar field of gravitational-wave research to general audiences. An accompanying website provides parts lists and information for others to build their own version of this exhibit.