ROME IS STAR SHAPED: S.T.A.R. THE FIRST ITALIAN APP FOR THE SPREAD OF CULTURAL ASTRONOMY

Abstract

STAR is the first italian App for smartphone and tablet entirely dedicated to the cultural astronomy sites in Rome. The user will be guided on a journey to discover mithraea, sundials and Astronomy related places of the Capital. In most cases, these sites are visited by millions of tourists for their historical and artistic value but their astronomical significance point of view is not valorise. Despite many ancient monuments also enclose a strong astronomical significance, linked for example to the original constructive purposes, this aspect is largely ignored by the general public. The aim of STAR is therefore offer the opportunity to discover an unexpected, original and evocative side of the city of Rome to a widest possible audience through an innovative technological support, simple and attractive, which STAR wants to be. This App aims to involve the foreign tourist as the Roman citizen rediscovering the city, the neophyte as the expert of this topic. With STAR it is possible to modulate the itinerary, to choose the number and type of sites to visit, depending on the time available, and the favorite way to reach the sites. Moreover, the user will have the opportunity to select the type of presentation of the site based on the desired level of detail. To add emotional impact to the experience, making more effective the communication of contents, the App allow to reveal the original appearance of the sites or bring to light hidden details using the virtual augmented reality. This tool also allows you to discover places otherwise not be visited because they are not easly accessible, in particular for those who are suffering from disabilities, with particular reference to mitrei for their underground nature. Moreover, STAR replace or compensates the lack of in situ traditional communication systems, mostly absent or very reduced.