NASA has released a new book for visually impaired people to experience the wonders of the moon. Called “Getting a Feel for Lunar Craters,” the 17-page book features Braille and tactile diagrams of the lunar surface, craters and peaks.
The book was created and funded by NASA’s Lunar Science Institute (NLSI), at Moffett Field, Calif, and features tactile diagrams of the lunar surface designed to educate the blind and visually impaired about the wonders of Earth’s moon.. The author is David Hurd, a space science professor at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in Edinboro, Pa. He and tactile engineer John Matelock began creating tactile astronomy tools after a student with a visual impairment signed up for Hurd’s introductory astronomy course. Cassandra Runyon, a professor at College of Charleston, Charleston, S.C. and Hurd previously produced “A Tactile Guide to the Solar System with Digital Talking book†for NASA.
“This book is one giant step for humankind, making lunar science visible through touch and sound,” NLSI Director Yvonne Pendleton said. “NASA is committed to the development of resources to bring lunar science into the world of those who cannot see.”
Get a free copy of “Getting a Feel for Lunar Craters”.
Text Only and Audio File versions are also available.
NLSI is a virtual organization that enables collaborative, interdisciplinary research in support of NASA lunar science programs. The institute uses technology to bring scientists together around the world and comprises competitively selected U.S. teams and several international partners. NASA’s Science Mission Directorate and the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate in Washington fund NLSI, which is managed by NASA’s Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, Calif.
Filed under: The Moon
