Science On a Sphere (SOS)
Business Profile
Core Value Proposition
Science On a Sphere (SOS) provides a room-sized, global display system that projects visualizations of planetary data onto a six foot diameter sphere to help illustrate Earth System science to people of all ages.
Target Customer
Educators, students, museums, science centers, planetariums, universities, and general public visitors seeking immersive Earth System science visualization
Key Differentiator
Immersive six-foot spherical display with 600+ datasets, widely deployed (195 exhibits across 27 countries and 34 U.S. states) and a flat-screen alternative (SOS Explorer) for broader access; strong NOAA backing and an active user network
Implementation Timeline
Not specified in the provided content; acquisition and installation processes are mentioned (Getting SOS, setup options, and contact for full exhibit purchases)
Pain Points
- 1Difficulty communicating complex Earth system science concepts in an engaging, intuitive way
- 2Limited physical space for large six-foot sphere in some venues, necessitating an accessible alternative
- 3Need for a large, diverse dataset library to support varied educational topics (ocean currents, ultraviolet solar visuals, etc.)
Key Features
- 1Projects planetary data onto a six-foot diameter sphere for immersive visualization
- 2Over 600 datasets available for SOS and SOSx
- 3SOS Explorer provides a flat-screen (PC) version of SOS for broader accessibility
- 4Data visualizations come from satellites, ground observations, and computer models
- 5SOS Users Collaborative Network (community for content creation and collaboration)
Target Customer Industries
Client Results
- 1Installed at over 170 sites worldwide
- 2195 exhibits in 27 countries and 34 states
- 3Over 60 million people visit these installations annually
Competitive Advantages
- 1Highly engaging, data-driven visualization of Earth system science
- 2Extensive dataset catalog (600+ datasets) for diverse topics
- 3Global installation footprint and high public exposure
- 4Accessibility through SOS Explorer (flat-screen) and SOSx for PC/mobile
- 5Strong institutional backing (NOAA Office of Education) and an active user network
Key Benefits
Case Studies & Success Stories
New 'Science On a Sphere' tool puts interactive spin on learning at downtown Atlanta STEM center
News item highlighting interactive learning using SOS (March 25, 2025)
MSU Museum's Science On a Sphere brings global data to life
News item describing SOS deployment at Michigan State University Museum (March 19, 2024)
Science On a Sphere, the new experience to visit at the Medellin Planetarium (in Spanish)
News item about SOS adoption at Medellin Planetarium (June 25, 2023)
Science On a Sphere creates worlds of possibilities
News item highlighting impacts of SOS installations (October 27, 2022)
Additional Product Information
Product Description
SOS is a room-sized, global display system that uses computers and projectors to project planetary data onto a six-foot sphere; includes a flat-screen version (SOS Explorer) and a mobile/PC-friendly platform (SOSx) to visualize Earth system science for education centers, universities, and museums.
Target Market
Museums, science centers, planetariums, universities, educators, and public science programs
Unique Value Proposition
Immersive, data-rich globe visualization with a large, proven dataset library and flexible access through a sphere, flat-screen, and mobile options, backed by NOAA and a global user community
Technical Requirements
Requires a six-foot sphere display with projection/computer setup; SOS Explorer runs on Windows PCs; SOSx provides mobile/PC access; installation guidance available via SOS Getting Started resources
Pricing Model
Not disclosed in the provided content; inquiries directed to sos.contact@noaa.gov for acquisition
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