AstroTouch

Abstract

In this paper, we present the design, implementation, and preliminary evaluation of AstroTouch, a prototype desktop surface application to support analysis and visualization in the field of astrodynamics. We describe the fundamental characteristics of this complex scientific domain and discuss how these characteristics, combined with an assessment of current research surrounding multi-touch and the digital desktop, informed the design of our system. We detail the prototype implementation and present the results of an initial design critique conducted with domain experts.