NASA Releases Two Apps to Celebrate Telescope Launch Anniversary

Category: Technology/Innovations

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. put a spotlight on (someone/something) / pʊt ə ˈspɑːtˌlaɪt ɒn / (idiom) – to put one’s focus on someone or something
    Example:

    The exhibit aims to put a spotlight on the scientist’s findings.


  2. backdrop / ˈbækˌdrɑːp / (n) – an image’s background
    Example:

    The photo studio has many backdrops that clients can choose from.


  3. accompany / əˈkʌmpəni / (v) – to go together with someone or something
    Example:

    The photos on display are accompanied by stories about the featured events.


  4. excursion / ɪkˈskɚʒən / (n) – a short trip or journey taken for pleasure or a special purpose
    Example:

    The class is going on an excursion to the new educational park next week.


  5. makeup / ˈmeɪkʌp / (n) – the way something is arranged
    Example:

    The planet’s makeup includes several gases.


Article

Read the text below.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has released two apps to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Spitzer Space Telescope.


The Spitzer Space Telescope is a telescope launched in 2003 as part of the Spitzer mission, which was carried out to explore and study stars, galaxies, and planets. Although the mission was intended for only 2.5 years, it has been going on for 15 years.


The launch of the two new apps aims to put a spotlight on the telescope’s findings and captured images.


The first app called NASA Selfies allows users to take their own photos in space locations.  To activate the app, users will first need to take a close-up photo of their faces. The app will then place the image in a virtual spacesuit, making the user resemble an astronaut. Afterward, users can choose from 30 images that include planets, stars, and galaxies for the photo’s backdrop.


The images are actual photographs captured by the telescope. Each image is accompanied by a description about it.


Users of NASA Selfies can save and post their generated photos online.


Aside from NASA Selfies, the Exoplanet Excursions virtual reality (VR) app was also developed by NASA in celebration of the mission’s anniversary.


The VR app takes users to a guided journey of the TRAPPIST-1 planetary system, where seven Earth-sized planets were found last year. According to NASA, the Spitzer mission greatly contributed to the discovery of these planets and helped in identifying their possible makeup.


In addition to the apps, NASA created a 360-degree video that lets viewers explore a virtual TRAPPIST-1 system on their desktops, smartphones, and 360-viewer devices.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• Would you be interested to try the new apps by NASA? Why or why not?
• What industries do you think will benefit from these apps (e.g. education, tourism)? Discuss.

Discussion B

• Aside from outer space, what environment would you like to experience using an app (e.g. underwater, polar regions)?
• What app features do you think will allow users to experience this environment?