User Review: Our Future with the Cosmos

Author: Frank J. Spitz, M.Sc.

The purpose of this review is to give one a sense of the scope of what AstroReality can provide to the inquisitive mind and how their corporate vision can take one beyond Earth and gain insight into the realm of the cosmos. The first step is an understanding and appreciation of our solar system. The second goal is to give one an appreciation of AstroReality as a corporate entity.

“My den, with the to-scale EARTH and Mini Moon” – photo credit to Frank J. Spitz

Our future, as a species, is intimately intertwined with the cosmos.

The first step is to be able to understand and appreciate our solar system. The more we come to learn about our solar system, the more we can appreciate the beauty within the planets. These critical points are where AstroReality has found a niche. Yes, our understanding to date has come about first via direct eyesight, followed by ever more powerful telescopic observations. This led to the desire to actually land on a planet, moon,  asteroid or comet and collect samples in order to understand more about their evolution.

Apollo missions were the first step in this quest. Most (if not all) of us will never step foot on a moon or a planet, let alone possess samples of such. Here is where AstroReality fulfills our wants, needs, and desires. AstroReality has recently produced a limited number of 50th anniversary 200mm diameter LUNAR Max models commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Lunar landing. Coupled with their Augmented Reality, one can relive ALL the Apollo lunar missions from Apollo 8 to Apollo 17 in the palm their hand…no spacesuit or launch needed.

Prior to LUNAR MAX, AstroReality introduced LUNAR Pro, LUNAR Regular and LUNAR Mini followed by EARTH and recently MARS Pro. Also, available is a MINI SOLAR SYSTEM. Imagine having the entire solar system in the palms of your hands !! All models utilize NASA data to render the most exacting topographical details. One would be hard-pressed to discern ANY difference between a NASA photo and an AstroReality rendered detail. AstroReality also has AR NOTEBOOKS to further expand and enhance your experience. AstroReality will eventually have models of all the planets along with 9  (YES..PLUTO IS A PLANET) of their moons.

The depth to which one can go exploring the solar system is without limit. AstroReality is the ultimate solar system experience.

The latest collection – MARS PRO. Photo credit to Frank J. Spitz

My first experience with AstroReality…

My first experience with AstroReality came about while doing an internet search on the moon in which an ad appeared announcing LUNAR PRO. Reviewing their website on how their 3D manufacturing process captures intricate and subtle surface details plus a protective coating which makes the colors jump out, sold me. I was hooked and purchased LUNAR PRO. To date, my expanded collection includes EARTH and most recently MARS PRO. PRO versions of all the planets and MINI moons are likewise eagerly anticipated. Hopefully, a SOL model will be produced. My office has been condensed to make room for their entire solar system.

LUNAR PRO and the perk – Footprint on the Moon AR magnet, since it was initially launched on INDIEGOGO. Photo credit to Frank J. Spitz.

The future is unbounded for AstroReality and one can only look forward to their next project… asteroid and/or comet models, spacecraft? AstroReality has an awesome website which is very informative and covers a plethora of astronomical topics. One can judge a company by whom they work with and their management. Here again, AstroReality stands above all the rest. Their sponsors include NASA, JPL, Lunar and Planetary Institute, University of Hong Kong, California Academy of Science, Tech Terra Education, SETI, Earth Science Center among others.

AstroReality won an award at CES 2019 for innovative AUGMENTED REALITY. Their Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. J. Skok is both a planetary scientist (who better to know about planetary geology), a scientific contractor to NASA and a planetary scientist at SETI.

AstroReality makes learning fun and takes education to another level. Their goal is to inspire one to learn more… and that is the key. Our future is in the next generation of scientists, be they astronomers, biochemists, astrogeologists, mathematicians, computer engineers. etc. Someday we will, as a species, colonize other worlds, mine their riches and forge further into space.

Every journey begins with the first step. AstroReality has taken this first step. To inspire one to go where no man or woman has gone before.

One should not be surprised to see AstroReality models in planetariums science museums, universities, STEM and STEAM schools as their missions are to inspire and educate as well. This is a  role that AstroReality takes seriously and delivers on. AstroReality has raised my interest in learning more about our solar system and getting my Celestron C11 telescope out to view these wonders. A recently purchased university-level astronomy book has added to this experience and inspired further reading and exploration of the planets and stars. For me this included attending a lecture on Apollo 11 and an upcoming lecture on Pluto.

Thank you AstroReality for making this all possible..a new and innovative approach to AUGMENTED REALITY.. both for myself and the next generation.

Looking forward to their next PRO planets and moons.

Respectfully,

Frank J. Spitz M.Sc.