Space Eye - Bern

Space Eye is a multimedia visitor center located in the Gantrisch Nature Park near Bern, Switzerland, which opened in September 2023. The center provides access to Switzerland's largest public telescope and an 8K planetarium, conveying current research in space and environmental science to visitors of all ages.

Inside the observatory, visitors journey through various interactive stations exploring topics related to satellites and the universe. The experience uses a mix of media technologies for the developed installations in order to offer an immersive experience into the various space and environmental science topics. An animated astronaut character, Nova, guides visitors through the exploration, sharing insights and information as an expert companion.

Petros Kataras collaborated with Ars Electronica Solutions and Earth observation experts from the German Aerospace Center ( DLR ) to develop the Elevation model installation which offers an insight into various different satellite datasets relevant to Bern and the surrounding area of Gantrisch Nature Park. The installation consists of one projection on a physical CNC’d accurate elevation model of the area where real-time visuals are mapped, one portrait 4K screen area where additional info and content is being displayed depending on current selections and finally a 4K dynamic touch UI are that allows the user to explore, mix and overlay the evolution of different types of datasets such as road networks, light pollution, water bodies, vegetation and infrared satellite scans on the actual physical model.

The installation was developed with C++/OpenGL/GLSL using Cinder on Linux.

Image Credits: Space Eye/Adrian Moser, AES/Isabela Schoelmbauer