Following the display of a Titan II ICBM missile and an exhibition about the FORMOSAT satellites, last Tuesday the National Space Organization (NSPO) donated Dagik Earth, a 3D presentation system of the earth for global geoscience data, to the Tropic of Cancer Solar Exploration Center in Chiayi County’s Shueishang Township. The system projects data images onto a spherical screen such as a white balloon, simulating real-life images in a way that actually feels like you are in space looking at the planets and planetary changes. The system is also highly portable. All you need is the Dagik Earth computer software, a projector, and a white spherical screen.
Major planning and construction for the Solar Exploration Center began during former Chiayi County Commissioner Chen Ming-wen’s term as county commissioner around a decade ago. Since then it has become the main institution for space education in the Chiayi and Yunlin areas. On average around 200,000 people visit the center every year.
The NSPO’s Deputy Director-General Yu Shiann-jeng was present at the event during which his agency donated the system to the center last Tuesday, and there to officially receive it was deputy county commissioner Lin Mei-chu. The achievements of agencies and personnel working in science education were also lauded during the event.
Photo: Wu Shih-tsung, Taipei Times
照片:自由時報記者吳世聰
The individual who acquired Dagik Earth from Kyoto University, where it was developed, NSPO chief scientist Liu Jann-yeng, says that the most valuable part of the system is its software, the rights for which Taiwan has obtained for educational purposes. The system collects planetary images, transformations and climate data from satellites and then simulates real-life 3D images in real time, making it a four-dimensional system. When connected with the Central Weather Bureau’s Web site, the system allows real-time observations of landslides and rainfall, for example.
Chen Shu-juan, head of the center, says that since the center is currently in need of more space, they obtained around three hectares of state-owned land to the southeast of the center, where they plan to open a second location — the “Southern Solar Astronomy Education Center.” Since the second location will be on the opposite side of the north-south railway line, they are also working to reopen the Tropic of Cancer Station. The center expects to get subsidies from the Ministry of Education to cover the estimated cost of NT$60 million needed to build the new location, she says.
(Liberty Times, Translated by Kyle Jeffcoat)
北回歸線太陽館繼泰坦二號火箭及福爾摩沙衛星展之後,上週二再添國家太空中心捐贈的「四次元地球數位展示系統」,透過投射白色球體,虛擬出衛星所蒐集的影像,真實呈現,有如從太空看星球及各種變化。只要有電腦軟體、投影機及白球體,系統就能帶著「趴趴走」教學。
北回歸線太陽館,從十年前前嘉義縣長陳明文時代開始大規模開發,已經成為雲嘉地區重要的天文教育重鎮,每年吸引近二十萬人次參訪。
國家太空中心上週二捐贈「四次元地球數位展示系統」給館方展出,國太中心副主任余憲政等人與會,由副縣長林美珠代表接受。會中也表揚協助科教活動有功單位及人員。
從日本京都大學引進「四次元地球數位展示系統」的國太中心首席科學家劉正彥說,此系統最珍貴的是軟體,台灣已經被授權可用於教學,將衛星蒐集的星球景象、變化及天候等虛擬實際的狀況立體呈現,加上時間的變化,所以是四次元,如與中央氣象局連線,包括土石流、雨量等都能即時觀察。
館長陳淑娟表示,現有場區空間不足,縣府已經取得東南方約三公頃的國有地,希望闢建第二園區成為「南區太陽天文教育中心」,因隔著縱貫鐵路,也將爭取北回歸線車站復站,預估所需經費約新台幣六千萬元,將向教育部爭取補助。
(自由時報記者吳世聰)
A: I want to go to Neihu to see the cherry blossoms. B: Do you want to go by YouBike? A: Well, how much does it cost? B: The Taipei City Government just announced that riders can use the bicycles for free for the first 30 minutes! A: Great! Riding bikes is also more eco-friendly than driving. A: 我想去內湖賞櫻花耶。 B: 那要不要騎YouBike微笑單車去? A: 車費怎麼算? B: 台北市政府最近宣布︰前30分鐘免費! A: 太棒了,而且也比開車更環保。 (By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times/台北時報張聖恩)
One of us is a murderer. The terrifying thought fills your head. There’s a corpse in the next room, and one of your fellow diners put it there. As the evening progresses, you learn disturbing secrets about everyone, and you’re forced to confess to a few yourself. You all have motives for the crime, but who committed it? Fortunately, it’s just a game. Murder mystery games are multiplayer role-playing games designed to be played over the course of an evening. The concept likely originated with “wink murder,” an amusing pastime that became popular in the early 1900s. In this game, a “murderer” kills
A: How does Taipei’s YouBike service charge after the free ride for the first 30 minutes? B: It’s NT$10 every 30 minutes within four hours. A: What a bargain. No wonder Taipei is listed by Britain’s “Time Out” magazine as one of the best 50 cities in the world. B: But I spotted a few English mistakes on YouBike’s Web site. A: I guess that aspect of it still has room for improvement. A: 台北市YouBike前30分鐘免費,之後怎麼算? B: 4小時內每30分鐘10元。 A: 真劃算,難怪台北市會入選英國《Time Out》雜誌全球最佳的50座城市。 B: 不過我在YouBike的網站上看到了好幾個英文錯誤。 A: 看來這個部分還有改善的空間。(By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times/ 台北時報張聖恩)
Mullet roe is a highly-priced delicacy typically served during special occasions like wedding banquets or Chinese New Year’s dinners, where families come together in celebration. The mullet roe can be prepared in various ways. It is usually pan-fried but can also be roasted or torched. To cook a pan-fried mullet roe, soak it in liquor or wine and peel off its membrane. Then, it is browned over a low fire and turned several times. Finally, the fried mullet roe is cut diagonally and is ready to be served. This dish is usually served with garlic scapes and daikon slices, but