[Artbeyondsightmuseums] NASA Unveils a New Lunar Book for the Visually Impaired

[Lisa Yayla]

NASA Unveils a New Lunar Book for the Visually Impaired
MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. - NASA will unveil a new book for blind and 
visually impaired readers at a media event and reception hosted by the 
NASA Lunar Science Institute (NLSI) at 6 p.m. PDT on July 18 at NASA's 
Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.


The book "Getting a Feel for Lunar Craters" was created with the NLSI 
and features tactile diagrams of the lunar surface designed to educate 
the blind and visually impaired about the wonders of Earth's moon. David 
Hurd, a space science professor at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, 
Edinboro, Pa., is the book's author. 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.

Hurd and students from the California School for the Blind, Fremont, 
Calif., are scheduled to attend the unveiling.

"NASA's Lunar Science Institute is committed to the development of 
resources to bring lunar science into the world of those who cannot see. 
'Getting a Feel for Lunar Craters' is one giant step for humankind, 
making lunar science visible through touch and sound," said Yvonne 
Pendleton, director of the NLSI.

News media planning to attend must contact Cathy Weselby at 650-604-4789 
or cathy.weselby at nasa.gov before 5 p.m. Monday, July 18, for credentials.

The 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 at the agency's Headquarters in 
Washington, funds the institute, which is managed by Ames.

For more information about the NASA Lunar Science Institute, visit: 
http://lunarscience.nasa.gov

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=34085