Astronomers Table at The Royal Observatory

Want to know the secrets of the Universe? HMC Interactive’s latest project quizzes the brains of the smartest astronomers to create a mind bending multiuser encyclopaedia of astronomy.

The Astronomers Table is over four metres long with eight user stations spread down its sides. A central fin divides the table in two halves, providing a huge projection surface for the high resolution images and video displays.

Stars and galaxies flow across the table, turning into pixels as they glide up the vertical face. You control the experience by moving a futuristic looking puck underneath a motion sensor. By sliding the puck over glowing star hotspots, you can trigger videos on the screen in front of you.

Over 70 videos answer astronomical questions about black holes and solar flares. Combined with the sci-fi’esque interface, the Astronomers Table makes a worthy centrepiece for the new Astronomy Questions gallery.

The galleries have a far more cerebral feel than the twiddling knobs and buttons of the Science Museum, and there is no hint of dumbing down anywhere. The Times — Wednesday May 3rd

HMC Interactive employed state of the art camera hardware to create the engaging experience of navigating the stars. Production agency Newangle took the creative lead, working with HMC to develop the table into a showcase exhibit.

Design & production: Newangle Software programming: HMC Interactive