In: Color Perception: Physiology, Processes and Analysis |
ISBN: 978-1-60876-077-0 |
|
Editors: D. Skusevich, P. Matikas, pp. 261-264 |
© 2010 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. |
|
Short Communication 1
COLOR IN WEIGHTLESSNESS CONDITIONS:
“µGORIENTING” PROJECT
Irene Lia Schlacht1 , Matthias Rötting2+ and Melchiorre Masali3§
1PhD Student, Chair of Human-Machine Systems, Dept. of Psychology and Ergonomics, Technische Universität Berlin, Germany
2Chair of Human-Machine Systems, Dept. of Psychology and Ergonomics, Technische Universität Berlin, Germany
3Cattedra di Antropologia, Dipartimento di Biologia animale e dell´uomo, Università di Torino, Italy
ABSTRACT
In outer space habitats, where the weightlessness and isolation deeply influence human life, color perception, processing and reaction to color are subjects for analysis in Human Factors investigation. The “µgOrienting” project aims to improve the life quality in outer space by research on colors and other visual stimuli.
Picture 1. Color Design research in International Space Station (ISS), Schlacht 2007.
(isc@mms-tu-Berlin.de www.mms.tu-berlin.de or Irene.Schlacht@gmail.com www.extreme-design.eu)
I.L. Schlacht, TU-Berlin, IPA Fach MMS, Sekr. FR 2-7/1, Franklinstr.28-29, D-10587 Berlin
+(mro@mms-tu-Berlin.de)
§(Melchiorre.Masali@gmail.com)
262 |
Irene Lia Schlacht, Matthias Rötting and Melchiorre Masali |
|
|
Keywords: Color Perception, Color Design, Outer Space Habitats, Human Factors.
In a new project intended to increase habitability in outer space, a dedicated European team is carrying out research on colors and visual stimuli affecting astronauts’ reliability. The goal of the project, called µgOrienting, is to increase well-being and orientation skills in outer space missions through color and visual stimuli.
Color research for human space habitats is aimed at the design of ergonomically-oriented spacecraft. As reported in the NASA standard Living Aloft (Connors et al., 2003), considering the importance of vision to the accomplishment of space missions, spacecraft’s visual design has to bear in mind the strong psycho-physiological modifications that occur in the extreme environment of the outer space. Consequently, a major field of study is the development of human factors in technological habitat design, especially in view of the adaptation of Man in his challenge to live in outer space (Schlacht, 2008).
The µgOrienting project breaks down into three experiments: CROMOS, WIUD and ZEROgYMN.
-CROMOS: investigates color and visual perception in microgravity.
-WIUD: researches color and visual reactions vital for orientation during weightlessness.
-ZEROgYMN: researches the potential for color and visual stimuli to affect movement and a sense of rhythm.
CROMOS, successfully performed in 2007 during the European Space Agency (ESA) Student Parabolic Flight Campaign, analyzed changes in sensitivity to chromatic and achromatic perception in microgravity conditions. During CROMOS six European students tested color (Red, Blue, Green) sensitivity during a microgravity condition parabolic flight and in normal 1G earth conditions, using software developed by Stefano Brambillasca. The experiment used the Anolamoscope method, measuring the “range of color equality”, that is, the range in which two slightly different colors were perceived as the same.
Diagram 1. CROMOS RESULT, Schlacht 2007. Mean Value of deviation from “Equal color” and RMS-value of the function in µgravity (0g) and normal gravity (1g) conditions. From the bottom to the top: Test 1 hue-Red; Test 2 Blue-hue; Test 3 yellow-saturation; Test 4 grey-lightness. A validation experiment with inverted color orders in each test is suggested for future experiments.
The CROMOS color results (RGB) show an increase of sensitivity in µg in the short wavelength (B) area of the visible spectrum and a decrease in the long wavelength area (R).
-Test 1. Hue: red. In µg, as a component of Red, G pixels were perceived 4.4 % less intensely and B pixels were perceived 3% more intensely in µg.
-Test 2. Hue: blue. In µg, as a component of Blue, G pixels were perceived 10.8% more intensely.
Color in Floating Conditions |
263 |
|
|
-Test 3. Saturation: yellow. Yellow is perceived more saturated in µg with a shift of mean value in the low saturation area by 2.9%.
-Test 4. Brightness: grey. In µg there is a weakening of sensitivity to achromatic luminosity. The hypothesized cause of the observations is the physiological effect of weightlessness. The
crystalline lens of the eye becomes more spherical which causes the chromatic aberration and consequent focus of images onto a different area of the retina with different concentrations of RGB receptors.
As a result, stimulation of Blue cones and rods are probably increased. The hypothesis relating physiology is consistent with the experiment’s findings (Schlacht, 2009).
WIUD was conducted as a second phase of the µgOrientation requiring the subjects to recline to study instinctual reactions to color and symbols for up-and-down orientation in outer space habitats.
The results, currently estimated following 40 subjects’ tests, were derived using images of ISS modules and orientation labels. The Russian module, based on color configuration with chaotic instrument set up, was easier for orientation in comparison with the American module, configured to have a clean instrument set up. Statistically, the findings suggest that a pictogram label system might improve orientation in ambiguous ISS module configurations.
ZEROgYM, the last µgOrientation phase, is in a developmental stage, in collaboration with Turin University (Italy) and Ki Productions (Kitsou Dubois). It is focused on the relationship between movement and visual input in weightlessness conditions. It is based on the consideration that vestibular systems responsible for orientation become silent in µG (Mallowe E., 2001), consequently colors and visual configurations are of primary importance for orientation. The experiment is envisaged to be performed in neutral buoyancy using gymnastics students from the Movement Science Dept. at Turin University.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We thank all the colleagues of the Man Machine Systems Chief of Technische Universität Berlin for their help, in particular M.Sc. Shengguang Lei and PhD Jeronimo Dzaack, and the people who took part in the experiments. A special ancknowledgment goes to the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Paweł Domagała DAAD student at the TU-Berlin, Prof. Cesare Cardani and Amalia Finzi from the Aerospace Engineering Faculty of Politecnico di Milano, for their help and support, to PhD Marinella Ferrino, Arch. Giorgio Musso and Ing. Enrico Gaia from Thales Alenia Italy for consultings. A special thanks also goes to ESA for the parabolic flight and Prof. Franca Ligabue Stricker from the Chair of Anthropology of Università di Torino, the text reviewers Monica Argenta and Andrew Tweedie from Silberzeilen.de and all the people and organisations that collaborate with or support this research.
REFERENCES
[1]Bortz, J., Döring, N.(1995). Forschungs-methoden und Evaluation. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer. (Pag. 575 Signifikanztest Differenz (Xa-Xb) a= 0,05 Versuchtpersonen= klein 310, mittel 50, groß 20).
264 |
Irene Lia Schlacht, Matthias Rötting and Melchiorre Masali |
|
|
[2]Connors, M.M.; Harrison, A.A.; Akins, F.R.; (2004). Human Requirements for Extended Spaceflight. Washington, D.C: NASA. Retreived March ’09 from: //history.nasa.gov/SP-483/cover.htm
[3]Mallowe, E.(2001). Mission to Explore Motion Sickness. Teach Talk. Cambridge, Mass: MIT News Office at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved from http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/tt/1991/may22/ 24740.html
[4]Schlacht, I.L.; Brambillaca, S.; Birke, H. (2009). Color Perception in Microgravity Conditions: The Results of CROMOS Parabolic Flight Experiment. Microgravity Science and Technology: Volume 21, Issue 1; Page 21-30. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer.
[5]Schlacht, I.L., Masali, M., Ferrino, M., Rötting, M. & Riccò, D. (2008). Visual stimuli for outer space habitability IAC-08-E5.I.1. International Astronautical Congress. Papers on DVD. UK: IAC.