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: Hard rock band Guns N’ Roses is touring Taiwan tomorrow. What about pop diva Lady Gaga? B: Unfortunately, Singapore has once again exclusively secured Gaga’s concerts in Asia, just like Taylor Swift’s exclusive Asian shows last year. A: The Singaporean government reportedly paid up to US$2.2 million to secure Swift’s shows. B: And the shows did boost its economy and tourism. A: But I’m angry about this approach, so I’m not going to Gaga’s shows this time. A: 硬式搖滾天團槍與玫瑰明天即將來台，流行天后女神卡卡呢？ B: 真可惜，新加坡再度取得卡卡亞洲巡演的獨家主辦權，就像去年泰勒絲的亞洲獨家演出一樣。 A: 據報導新加坡政府付出高達220萬美元，取得泰勒絲的亞洲獨家主辦權。 B: 而她的秀也的確提振了該國的經濟和旅遊業。 A: 但我對此還是很不爽，所以不去新加坡看卡卡了！ （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張迪）
After the death of Pope Francis on April 21, the Vatican’s papal conclave on May 8 elected a new leader for the Catholic Church. Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost, who chose to be called Leo XIV, became the 267th pope, spiritual leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. But what exactly does a pope do? Here is a rundown of his main responsibilities. CATHOLIC LEADER The word pope comes from the Greek “pappas,” meaning “father, patriarch,” which is why believers call him the Holy Father. He is considered the successor of St Peter, to whom Jesus Christ is said to have entrusted
If you could nominate any toys for the Toy Hall of Fame, what would they be? Iconic playthings like yo-yos, toy cars, or video games seem like obvious __1__. Classic toys such as jacks, playing cards, and board games like Chess, Monopoly, and Uno have brought endless joy to generations. Overall, there are countless toys that __2__ in the Toy Hall of Fame. The National Toy Hall of Fame was __3__ in 1998 at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York. The Toy Hall of Fame aims to __4__ items that have been cherished for generations, and several
Continued from yesterday（延續自昨日） https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang However, not every toy has its moment. Some fans were __8__ that simple classics like balloons—a universal symbol of celebrations—haven’t made the cut yet. With their lightweight charms and transformative puffs of air, balloons have __9__ millions for decades and will have to wait at least another year for a chance to be inducted. As the Toy Hall of Fame continues to celebrate toys that __10__ creativity and joy, we can only wonder which treasures will earn a spot next. Will the widely adored balloon finally take its place in 2025? Only time will tell, but one thing is
RSS