GITHUB REPOSITORIES

Github repository for the project: https://github.com/Guaaay/exosky-react

Github repository for processing the data from Gaia: https://github.com/samfergar/gaiatapplus

Github repository of Godot code: https://github.com/Guaaay/exomythology_godot

Web Development

Exomythology is an interactive 3D web platform.
The whole project uses a database (MariaDB) of exoplanets sourced from the NASA Exoplanet Archive, along with a table of constellations created by the users. We access the database using an API from both the client and the game to get all the data to display on the Exoplanets and Constellations subpages.

How to use Exomythology:

First, you can navigate to the Exoplanets subsection and select one of them. Once you choose an exoplanet, you can begin exploring the sky from that perspective and view all the constellations created. You can also select some stars, create a new constellation, and write your own mythology!
Next, you can go to the Constellations subsection and see all the constellations created by other users and rate them. For each constellation, you will see the name, the mythology behind it, and an audio narration telling the story.

Godot Constellation Engine

Exomythology uses a Godot Web App compiled to HTML5 using WebGL in the back. The game app is hosted on itch.io and retrieved by our server. It is rendered on the Exomythology Web App when an exoplanet has been selected. Using the exoplanet ID and positional parameters, the game first generates a procedural terrain unique to the exoplanet, using the exoplanet ID as a seed. The exoplanet's terrain color is also procedurally chosen. The game then requests the star data (position and apparent glow) from our backend and receives it already translated according to the mathematical framework we describe. It then renders a series of glowing spheres projected onto a celestial dome. The game also retrieves the already created constellations along with the stars they involve. The game allows the player to draw constellations between stars. Once drawn, the game will send a message to the surrounding JavaScript environment. The message is intercepted by the react app and the form to submit a new constellation is shown with the just selected star data.

Mathematical Framework

Exomythology makes use of well established mathematical tools used in astronomical research, as well as some basic notions of algebra. In order to display a range of stars, we first do a selection based on perception of a distant body, being brightness the main contributor. After said selection, we project the stars on a plane tangent to the celestial globe, taking the distance of the most distant star as the radius. This projection is then normalized in a given range to fit in the dome projection.

The process goes as follows: First, given a set of celestial coordinates (corresponding to target stars), we make a conversion into cartesian coordinates and recalculate the relative position of stars with a simple vector subtraction. Then we set that point as our new origin and recalculate all distances. Distance is calculated in parsecs from stellar parallax.

We then use the canonical projection onto said plane. We only select the stars with a positive z value to ensure we only display one hemisphere. To make all projected distances fit a convenient range, we then divide all distances by a normalization value. This is then served to the graphical interface to form the stellar dome.

Graphic identity

The exploration of the logo started out with the creation of a moodboard based on the key words from our value proposal. The moodboard provided us with a color palette and then we started with the font trial.
For the design of this logo, we used At Haüss which is a contemporary neo-grotesque typeface. It is a pure and elegant typeface that stands on a solid and balanced structure. Born for maximum performance in communication, and great to be used on interfaces due to its high legibility.
ExoMythology is a product that brings both technology and stories to the user, so we wanted to create a logo that reflected both our storytelling and how we were going to use technology to bring them to life.

2024 NASA Space Apps Challenge

Plutón