Spectroscopy at The Royal Observatory

Do you know the difference between a red and a blue supergiant? That’s just one of the questions that The Royal Observatory’s new Spectroscopy exhibit was built to answer.

Using NASA photography and facts supplied by Britain’s brainiest astronomers, HMC Interactive worked with London agency Newangle to create a fun and engaging interactive about the different temperatures of stars in our galaxy.

The exhibit allows you to select eight stars from across the Orion and Gemini constellations and try to find their temperature. Instead of guessing numbers, you are presented with a range of colourful spectrums from which you must match your chosen star. A correct answer rewards you with a random selection of amazing facts about the star you selected.

HMC Interactive built a simple drag and drop interface for the exhibit’s touch screen to make the software as intuitive as possible. Using the latest programming techniques allowed HMC to create smooth fluid animations that matched the overall look and feel of the interface.

And the difference between a red and a blue supergiant? You’ll have to visit Greenwich to learn that one!

Design & production: Newangle Software programming: HMC Interactive