The Black Hole

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why a game?

The solution of the game was inspired by the fact of knowing a lot of children that can recognize the flags of many countries just because of playing FIFA world cup game (football game).

Why the games are attractive?

The first thing is the communications, because playing with real people increases the sense of competition more likely that playing with a programmed character. Not only this, but most online games are built to make a team or a group, this can help making a lot of friendship and chatting with other; specially for those people who have social anxiety or socially disconnected. (Benefits of video games for Kids & Adults,2021). Also People are always looking for new ways to learn and gain knowledge (rather than just reading), especially young kids, because it attracts them more and uses the fun factor to trick them into different type of knowledge. (How to make a popular game,2015). Video games also transport us to new realities and satisfy our needs for achievement and recognition. In addition, keep us interested with puzzles and mini games. The interesting part is and do not forget the sound and visual effects and the character in the game attract people to play. Not only that also VR games attract people in general. Finally, the learning and entertainment at the same time in one game is an idea out of the box. (Here’s why E-gaming has become so popular today, 2021).

Scientific facts that are used in the project.

• Solar flares that come from the sun (electromagnetic radiation) and result into a radio blackout. (NASA, n.d.).

• Electromagnetic emission, charges particle radiation, and magnetized plasma affect the aviation, power grids, GPS signals, and corrupt the data. (SVS, 2021).

• Parker solar probe will fly through sun’s outer atmosphere (corona) as close as 6.12 miles to the sun surface which is more than seven times closer than any spacecraft has come before. The probe will reach to the sun using Venus’ gravity. 

•  The probe and its instruments are protected by 11.43 cm carbon-composite shield that endure extremely high temperatures (that reach near 1,700 C) and radiation (Garner, 2019).

• Parker solar mission expected to provide the scientists with data that take part in forecasting the space weather that affect the technology and life in earth (Garner, 2019). 

•  Parker solar launch date: August 12, 2018, number of Venus flybys: 7, orbit period: 88 days, number of orbits: 24, mission duration: 6 years and 11 months (The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, 2019).

• Solar cycle definition: “the cycle that the Sun’s magnetic field goes through approximately every 11 years”. The magnetic field of the sun flips completely every 11 years. In other words, north pole become south, and the south pole become north. During the solar cycle, the sun activity experiences a rise where solar winds and flares peaks. (Erickson, 2021).

The game description.

sol hunters is a game where 2 teams compete together to reach the sun through controlling parker solar probe. 

Features: 

• Public and private chat (for friends) to create communities that are interested in our solar system. 

• Setting that include languages (Arabic, English, Spanish, etc..) volume, and mic for communication during the game.

•  Friends sector where people can check if their friends are online. 

•  Sector for advanced equipment and clothing where the players can buy from after collecting the coins in different the levels. 

•    Option for video for illustration before playing the game. 

Game steps: 

•  A short explanation video in a form of story about the importance and the goals of this mission as well as general information about it. 
•    Each team has 2 player (the number is able to rise in advanced development stages) and they can communicate with each other in chat or by using the mic. 
•  2 teams will compete with each other in order to arrive to the sun. 

•  Step 1: launching the probe by waiting till the speed reach 40,000 km/h which is the speed required to overcome the earth’s gravity according to NASA (the speed will gradually increase from 0,500, 1000,……) 
•    Adding an accelerating sound to keep the players interested. 
•  Launching the probe correctly in the right time will give the team bonus points. 
•   After launching the probe, it will enter the earth’s orbit which will be illustrated in the game. 

• Step 2: the players second mission is to control the direction of the probe through the rear-fasting thruster by moving through the touch screen. 
•     The structure of the thruster and instructions will be given to the players for a few seconds to learn the method. 

• Step 3: the map will be given to the players to show the direction that the probe should follow with the timeline and flybys in every orbit. 

•  Step 4: during the journey the two teams will face asteroids, solar winds, & other energetic particles that they should protect their probe from, through closing the openings of the probe by aluminum shield. 
•    If any particle contacted the probe, the energy level will decrease. 

• Step 5: the players can re-direct the winds through their equipment to the enemy’s region on earth to shut down the radio waves, technology and lose contact with the probe which will lead to data corruption and lose in the game.

•  Step 6: The players should recognize the end of the solar cycle by observing the switch in magnetic fields to press the alert button in the panel for the earth agency, to protect their region by a radiation shield. 
•    The team who doesn’t press the button, then the energetic particles will enter to their region and affect the planes, radio system, technology, lost in connection and then they will lose in the game.

 Educational application:

 The huge diversity of information sources available in many social media and the Internet has posed a challenge in attracting people to the aspect of awareness in the field of space and the important events that are monitored by the space probe.

 We have proposed the idea of ​​an app that targets the public on the globe.  The program contains three categories (children, people of determination, and the public), to be suitable for all people, regardless of their condition and age.

 Each category has a special design in a way that is suitable for them, for example (children's category) the way of narrating the information will be distinctive and attract the child to listen and follow, and the information is presented in the form of illustrative pictures, shapes that draw attention, and clips that are designed specifically for them.

Focus on:

•   The Application provides important information that was directly taken from NASA's websites and other Trusted sources that the NASA Apps challenge provided. 

• The application focuses on attracting people's attention and increasing their awareness of the importance of the information provided by the probe, and especially the Parker solar probe as it is considered the first probe to touch the sun, designed with a high capacity to withstand the sun's greatest temperatures. As said Parker solar probe is a MISSION FOR THE AGES!

• The application is not only focused on the “more than 20 probes” out there in space flying freely and discovering amazing things but it is also and mostly focused on Parker solar probe and solar arbiter probe. 

The most important features of our program:

1)    Providing an opportunity for those interested (whether they are scientists, professors, etc.) to spread science and knowledge in the program, by providing workshops or lectures periodically, and also having the feature of direct communication so that all users from any country around the world can communicate with them to exchange experiences and knowledge.

2)    Providing reliable sources for research in addition to accounts or emails (with permission and desire) to scholars and researchers.

3)    Provide what is new of information and data.

4)    Provide Voiceover feature for users with special needs.

5)    Users can activate the notification bell to receive all updates and new data that are monitored, as well as all news and activities related to the space. 

6)    More than one language is provided in the app for users all around the world (Arabic, English, Chinese, and Indian).

The application stages:

The application is organized by stages, starting from the day that the probes were born to the last data and information reached by the probes in a new and creative way to make it easier for the user to understand easily. 

1.The first stage is the (pre-launch stage) and revolves around introducing users to the probe, the date of its creation, and its purpose. 

2.The second stage (during the launch) In this we explain the history of the launch of the probe, how the movement and speed of the probe were controlled, and what are the most important challenges faced by the supervisors of this magnificent global event. 

3.The last stage (post-launch), which is the stage in which there is a renewal in the information periodically reached and discovered by the probe, and how this information is going to affect the development and renewal of the human knowledge about what is happening near our star the sun and its impact on life on planet Earth in general, and all the living beings.

Space agency data

Most of the data used in the project were from NASA space agency. For the educational game the information was used to create a story for the game where 2 teams compete with each to reach to the sun. Mixing the scientific information with a game where people have fun, feeling the urge to complete objectives and win, communicating with each other can make absorbing the facts easier and more interesting. As well as easy to memorize it, since its connected in the brain with a specific situation or emotion which consequently can achieve the main goal (improving the public awareness about the importance of solar missions). Additionally, more information can be used to upgrade the story or the game in the future. 

Also, taking the data from a trusted source helped us a lot in the process of developing the application to obtain accurate and diversified information. For example, developing plans for the program so that it would be in three stages: the pre-launch stage, the stage during the launch and the post-launch stage. These accurate data, measurements and numbers from the agency made our project more structured and accurate.

- How would you like to describe your Space Apps experience?

Communication with people from different majors and the thoughtful disagreements produced marvellous ideas and shaped the project greatly. Our experience was more akin to a journey filled with shared thoughts, intriguing knowledge, and unforgettable experiences. we were always trying to think creatively and questioning every idea and why would it work. All the group members are grateful for the experience and proud of the final project despite the shortage in time. 

- What did you learn?

A lot of outcomes:

1-    collect relative information about our challenge without losing track to the main objectives.

2-    Think ahead of the curve.

3-    Be innovative as much as you can.

4-    Keep record of every information you read.

5-     Focus on the goals, it will help concentrate attention on the task.

6-    Stay engaged with your teammates.

7-    Assist and give feedbacks to your team members throughout the process.

- What inspired you and your team to choose this challenge?

The sun is the closest star to our solar system; the more we learn about it, the more we know about other solar systems and our galaxy. It is also the primary source of in the life cycle. Furthermore, the sun is continuously evolving and aging, and its activities are becoming more aggressive and visible by the day. This is sufficient explanation for our selection. Myriad people have forgotten about the biggest threat to humanity in the middle of the many environmental issues that are afflicting the planet. Despite the fact that there has been much talk about the risks of radiation and plasma waves, many people, including ourselves, have little or no knowledge on what is happening.

- What was you approach to developing this project?

Started by thinking of the step-stones that faced us and the people around us in the journey of learning about sun, solar system and space in general. Writing the challenges lead to brainstorm between the team members in order to overcome these challenges. The process of choosing the right idea was through questioning every detail and why would the method get people’s attention, backed up with some research and the members point of view and experience.

- How did your team resolve the setbacks and the challenges?

The first setback would be the time period. However, splitting the work among the group members made it easier and faster. Participating in Space Apps was our first time, so we faced some challenges on understanding the objectives and fulfil the requirements in this short period. The main challenge was the availability of the information about the solar missions and their importance. If anyone is interested in this area, he could find a lot of details about it but how to get the public attention in this area and make the information easier to digest and interesting was a hard question and required a lot of brainstorming and research to answer it. The answer to this question was creating an educational application that is easy to use and include comprehensive and trusted information as well as a video game where people can learn, enjoy their times, find a community with the same interest in the chats section. The solution of the game was inspired by the fact of knowing a lot of children that can recognize the flags of many countries just because of playing FIFA world cup game (football game). 

- Is there anyone you would like to thank and why?

We are especially indebted to our team members, Anfal, Shaima, Ahmed, Saja, Malak and Reem, for their guidance, support and assistance that they provided throughout the whole process. We would also like to offer our sincerest gratitude to Nasa Space Apps Challenges for graciously providing us with the opportunity of a lifetime. Along with Mrs Muzna, Mrs Huda, and Mr. Ahmed which offered all the resources required for the completion of this project. 

Reference list:

Erickson, K. (2021). What Is the Solar Cycle? | NASA Space Place – NASA Science for Kids. [online] Nasa.gov. Available at: https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/solar-cycles/en/ 

Garner, R. (2019). Parker Solar Probe: Humanity’s First Visit to a Star. [online] NASA. Available at: https://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/parker-solar-probe-humanity-s-first-visit-to-a-star

GEICO LIVING. n.d. Benefits of Video Games For Kids & Adults. [online] Available at: <https://www.geico.com/living/home/technology/9-reasons-to-give-video-games-a-try/>

Li, Y., 2015. Game Development 101: How To Make A Popular Game. [online] Black Shell Media. Available at: <https://blackshellmedia.com/2015/10/23/game-development-101-how-to-make-a-popular-game

NASA (n.d.). Solar Flares (Radio Blackouts) | NOAA / NWS Space Weather Prediction Center. [online] www.swpc.noaa.gov. Available at: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/phenomena/solar-flares-radio-blackouts

SVS, Nasa. (2021). SVS: Space Weather Infographics. [online] svs.gsfc.nasa.gov. Available at: https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/4923 

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (2019). Parker Solar Probe: The Mission. [online] parkersolarprobe.jhuapl.edu. Available at: http://parkersolarprobe.jhuapl.edu/The-Mission/index.php#Where-Is-PSP.

This project has been submitted for consideration during the Judging process.