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I envision a game that would involve attempting to re-create images of nebula with a variety of interesting
structures by placing a variety of object types at different positions on a grid. The resultant image could
then be subtracted from a smoothed version of a real astronomical image and a score given based on the
quality of fit.
The game could be modeled on [flash game link] in terms of visualization. It would require some flashy - rather than realistic - graphics, a simple interface (possibly with the option of an advanced interface), and a scoring system in order to gather public interest. To achieve useful science results, a rather advanced physics engine would have to be used. Games with simple gravitational potential have already been made, but this would require fluid-dynamical interactions. Stellar winds, jets, and radiation field would all be factors, and could be the three main parameters the users could play with. Two item types could be place on the "grid" that would be made: jets and stars. Jets would have properties of speed, age (length), direction, and mass/mass loss rate. Stars could have properties of mass and luminosity. The ambient radiation field, as the third parameter, would have a direction and would simulate a bright, hot source outside of the field. Ambient nebular density could also be a parameter. The combination of radiation field and ambient nebula with shocks and winds would generate shocks and ionization fronts of various shapes. In the "advanced" mode, all of these parameters could be modified, but to make the game interesting and simple, there should be straightforward default settings that would generate pretty pictures easily. Modification of the parameters, even in "advanced" mode, should be limited and use sliders or some similar graphical interface. |