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Virtual trek on the Moon with your fingertips regardless of eyesight

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 April 2026

Akihiko Tomita
Akihiko Tomita*
Affiliation:
Wakayama University, Wakayama 640-8510, Japan
*
email: atomita@wakayama-u.ac.jp
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Abstract

Our research team had chances to visit with visually-impaired children in Osaka, Japan. Using the 3D map as the mold, a plaster replica of a section of the Earth or the Moon were prepared for each of the participants. Children shouted, “Interesting!” and all the participants enjoyed understanding the nature of the Earth and the Moon. Children can learn about other worlds through their fingertip trip regardless of eyesight.

Keywords

3D mapplaster modelvisually-impaired

Information

Type
Poster Paper
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 20 , Symposium S358: Astronomy for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion , March 2024 , pp. 199 - 200
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of International Astronomical Union

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References

The nonprofit organization “Picture Books for Visually-Impaired and Weak-Eyesight Children”: http://www.wanpakubunko.com/npo/ (in Japanese)Google Scholar
Numerical Japan 3D map by Geospatial Information Authority of Japan: https://maps.gsi.go.jp/3d/ (in Japanese)Google Scholar
“Moon Nearside Farside” SLT-format file made from LRO data under the web site of “NASA 3D Resources”: https://nasa3d.arc.nasa.gov/detail/moon-nearside-farside Google Scholar
The NASA braille and tactile books on the Moon: description is shown on “SSERVI Braille Books” by NASA’s Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute: https://sservi.nasa.gov/books/ Google Scholar