“aetheria-124c”
Aetheria is a two-part interactive immersive experience.
"Aetheria" is an immersive experience that invites participants to explore the intricate ecological dynamics between species on Earth and a hypothetical habitable planet light years away. Through a combination of interactive displays, projections, and physical installation, this exhibition challenges the boundaries between science education, art, and imagination.
︎ Team Members: Phoebe Yin, Nertinia Tang
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Chapter 1: Illuminating Harmony provides an insightful look into the symbiotic relationship between Golden Jellyfish and photosynthetic algae in Palau, examining how similar species might thrive on a habitable exo planet adapting to vastly different environmental conditions. Through interactive displays and educational videos, audiences are encouraged to actively learn and to reflect on how these relationships in nature could serve as tools for sustaining life both on Earth and beyond.
Chapter 2: Celestial Unveiling brings the alien world to life through immersive projections and installations that blend physical and digital interactive components, showcasing the changing landscapes and thriving species of Aetheria-124c. By stepping into this speculative ecosystem, visitors engage with and co-create among life-sized alien flora and fauna, prompting them to appreciate and reconsider their relationships with the natural world and contemplate the interconnectedness of all living things.
“video”
The two chapters offer participants an unique yet cohesive experience to learn and explore about our home and the distant alien world.
“concept”
Palau’s Jellyfish Lake is a marine lake isolated from the open ocean. Over thousands of years, the jellyfish have evolved in isolation, making them genetically distinct from their oceanic relatives.
The ~5 million golden jellyfish that live in the lake have a unique relationship with symbiotic algae, zooxanthellae, that reside within their tissues.
The algae produce energy via photosynthesis, which the jellyfish use as a primary energy source. To maximize sunlight exposure, the jellyfish migrate across the lake daily in a cycle known as "sun migration. To avoid their predators, jellyfish stay away from the shadowed edges where sea anemones reside.
Envisioning a potentially habitable planet within a star system 628 light years away from Earth, how might the golden jellyfish, its symbiotic partners, and its predators undergo evolutionary transformations?
The algae produce energy via photosynthesis, which the jellyfish use as a primary energy source. To maximize sunlight exposure, the jellyfish migrate across the lake daily in a cycle known as "sun migration. To avoid their predators, jellyfish stay away from the shadowed edges where sea anemones reside.
Envisioning a potentially habitable planet within a star system 628 light years away from Earth, how might the golden jellyfish, its symbiotic partners, and its predators undergo evolutionary transformations?
Based on research on planetary habitability and terrestrial analogues, star system Aetheria-124 was designed, with a focus on one planet that’s within the habitable zone, Aetheria-124c. Inspiration was drawn from NASA’s studies, particularly Kepler-186f and Venus, during the creative process of designing Aetheria-124c. Kepler-186f, an Earth-sized exoplanet in the habitable zone of the red dwarf star system Kepler-186, shares many defining characteristics with Aetheria-124c.
Aetheria-124c, the second planet orbiting the host star, has a mass approximately twice that of Earth. Distinguished by its significantly denser atmosphere, this planet features a thick air layer that acts as a supportive cushion for heavier objects. Aetheria-124 is classified as a class K/M orange/red dwarf star. Unlike our Sun, this type of star is smaller in mass, cooler in temperature, and has lower luminosity. On Aetheria-124c, mid-day might resemble sunset on Earth.
Red dwarf stars are known for their relative instability and periodic bursts of radiation. Because of its proximity to the host star, Aetheria-124c receives a significant amount of stellar flares. Consequently, life on this planet has had to adapt to these extreme conditions.
Aetheria-124c, the second planet orbiting the host star, has a mass approximately twice that of Earth. Distinguished by its significantly denser atmosphere, this planet features a thick air layer that acts as a supportive cushion for heavier objects. Aetheria-124 is classified as a class K/M orange/red dwarf star. Unlike our Sun, this type of star is smaller in mass, cooler in temperature, and has lower luminosity. On Aetheria-124c, mid-day might resemble sunset on Earth.
Red dwarf stars are known for their relative instability and periodic bursts of radiation. Because of its proximity to the host star, Aetheria-124c receives a significant amount of stellar flares. Consequently, life on this planet has had to adapt to these extreme conditions.
“alien ecosystem”
sky-floater and anemorph concept sketch
The environment of Aetheria-124c facilitates species to effortlessly glide through the air for extended periods. Could the evolutionary processes on Aetheria-124c have enabled the “jellyfish” to transcend the confines of water-exclusive survival?
Sky-floaters are an aerial species unique to Aetheria-124c. They are symbiotically linked with azural algae, and track the sun to optimize photosynthesis. In return, the algae provide nutrients and shield them from harmful stellar radiation, emitting a soft blue glow. Anemorphs, a carnivorous species flourishing in the terrains of the planet, wait for the sky-floaters to descend closer to the ground and faint them with toxic gas. As the affected sky-floaters fall to the ground, the anemorphs close their traps, starting the gradual digestion of their prey.
Sky-floaters are an aerial species unique to Aetheria-124c. They are symbiotically linked with azural algae, and track the sun to optimize photosynthesis. In return, the algae provide nutrients and shield them from harmful stellar radiation, emitting a soft blue glow. Anemorphs, a carnivorous species flourishing in the terrains of the planet, wait for the sky-floaters to descend closer to the ground and faint them with toxic gas. As the affected sky-floaters fall to the ground, the anemorphs close their traps, starting the gradual digestion of their prey.
“ final designs ”
Golden Jellyfish and Zooxanthellae
Sky-Floater and Azural Algae
Sky-Floater Newborn
Anemorph
“chapter 1”
Chapter 1: Illuminating Harmony occupies the front half of the space. Two 75-inch monitors are set up to face the left and right corners of the room, each
projecting its interaction simultaneously. The hand motions of the participants are captured when standing in front of the screens.
Jellyfish Lake Interaction Prototype
The interaction projections are created using p5.js. To simulate the mesmerizing effect of a jellyfish swarm following the sun, the ml5.js library—built on top of TensorFlow.js—was utilized, leveraging its pre-trained models for tasks like hand tracking. This interaction allows users to control the sun, observing the golden jellyfish’s tendency to always follow the sun.
The interaction projections are created using p5.js. To simulate the mesmerizing effect of a jellyfish swarm following the sun, the ml5.js library—built on top of TensorFlow.js—was utilized, leveraging its pre-trained models for tasks like hand tracking. This interaction allows users to control the sun, observing the golden jellyfish’s tendency to always follow the sun.
Sky-floater Interaction Prototype
Instead of controlling the sun to attract jellyfish, this interaction allows users to control the skyfloater to chase the sun, understanding the similarities and differences between the alien species and the golden jellyfish.
Jellyfish Lake Interaction
On-screen prompts invite users to explore the symbiotic relationship between the golden jellyfish, algae, and the sun. For those seeking more in-depth information, a detailed poster provides further insights.
Sky-floater Interaction
As the sky-floater approaches the moving sun, the azural algae within its body illuminate, indicating the dynamic interaction between this alien species and its environment.
“chapter 2”
Chapter 2 is an immersive installation that occupies the back of the space aiming to create a portal to a small fragment of Aetheria-124c. Above the
audience, the sky-floaters hover, oriented towards the projected sun on the wall, while
they are surrounded by alien flora made from white paper on the ground. The projected
animation represents the day-to-night cycle on Aetheria-124c. Below, the Anemorphs flourish, inviting the audience to step into this strange forest. Accidentally getting too close to the anemorph would trigger a change in the environment: a sudden burst of red, explosive animation accompanied by unsettling sounds, signaling the impending arrival of a stellar flare.
animation represents the day-to-night cycle on Aetheria-124c. Below, the Anemorphs flourish, inviting the audience to step into this strange forest. Accidentally getting too close to the anemorph would trigger a change in the environment: a sudden burst of red, explosive animation accompanied by unsettling sounds, signaling the impending arrival of a stellar flare.
The sky-floater model is crafted using a 1.6mm wire frame, white pipe cleaners, plastic sheeting, iridescent fabric, and remote-controlled fairy lights to replicate the jelly-like, bioluminescent qualities of the creature.