Introducing ViewSpace’s Content Types

To navigate this guide, you must first understand the types of content ViewSpace provides. The four main learning resources we offer are listed below. You can also access a PDF version of this guide at any time. Last updated 2023-10-13.

Description:

  • ViewSpace currently offers hundreds of videos covering a wide range of Earth and space science topics, ranging from the “Life and Death of Stars” to “Extreme physics and phenomena".

How to get started:

  • To view a single video on a particular topic, use the main navigation on ViewSpace.org to go to Videos, and then Video Library. From there, you can use the Sort feature to filter videos alphabetically, by length, or by publication date, the Search Topics bar, or the Popular Topics drop-down menu to filter videos by science topics covered.

Description:

  • Libraries, museums, science centers, and other informal learning venues can set up a monitor to play a preset Earth, Space, or Earth and Space Collection of videos (collectively referred to as ViewSpace Collections) for their visitors to engage them in learning about the wonders of our universe.

How to get started:

Description:

  • ViewSpace interactives enable users to explore NASA data in greater detail and at their own pace using touchscreens or computer controls, by allowing them to fade between and compare multiple images or parts of the same image. Interactives lead users through scientific stories by illustrating how objects change over time, are positioned in relation to one another, and/or how observing them in different wavelengths of light reveals unique details and phenomena.

How to get started:

  • To explore individual ViewSpace interactives, on the main navigation bar, go to Interactives, and then About the Interactives. Scroll down to the Start Exploring section to browse interactives by topic.

Description:

  • ViewSpace’s free Interactives Web App provides direct access to the complete library of ViewSpace interactives from a mobile device’s home screen or a computer desktop, and can be locked to prevent users from navigating away from the library to access other sites, apps, or functionalities. This makes the Web App ideal for use as an interactive kiosk or during informal education programs and activities.

How to get started:


Setting up ViewSpace Video Collections as a Kiosk / Exhibit

To display ViewSpace Collections properly, make sure you have all of the following:

  • An internet-connected device (e.g., a tablet, desktop or laptop computer, etc.) to display videos
  • Reliable internet access that supports streaming video
  • A modern web browser (e.g., Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Safari)
    • Note: Chrome is best suited to support Kiosk Mode (see Section G below)
  • Optional: An external display (e.g., monitor or projector) to showcase ViewSpace videos on a larger screen while securing the internet-connected device streaming the videos

To access the ViewSpace Collections, you will need to be invited into the system after requesting an account. The invitation will arrive in the form of an e-mail from ViewSpace Support (support@viewspace.org).

  • If you haven’t already, go to Videos, then Video Collections (https://viewspace.org/playlists/featured) and click on Request Account. From there, you’ll be asked to enter your Contact Name and Title, as well as your Organization Name, Email, Zip Code, and Type (e.g., museum, science center, library, etc.). Once you click Submit Account Request, you should hear back from the team within seven business days.
  • If you are expecting an e-mail but have not yet received it, check your junk or spam folders.
  • If you still have not been sent an invitation after seven business days, please contact ViewSpace Support (support@viewspace.org).

  • Make sure the operating system of the computer, tablet, or other device you plan to use is up to date.
  • Place your system in a location where you will be comfortable working on it.
  • Make sure you have reliable internet access.
  • Access your e-mail invitation from ViewSpace Support.

  1. Open the Accept Invitation link in the e-mail from ViewSpace Support. This will take you to the Account Setup page.
  2. Register by creating a password of your choice. Screenshot of the ViewSpace Account Setup page showing fields for e-mail and password circled in red. Note: The e-mail shown on the Account Setup page is the e-mail that your invitation was sent to. If you want to register under a different e-mail, please contact ViewSpace Support (support@viewspace.org).
  3. Complete your User Profile. Screenshot of a completed User Profile, with the fields for First Name, Last Name, Job Title, and Your Profession Type completed. Note: If not all required fields are completed, you will be prompted to fill them in. Don’t forget to read and accept the terms and conditions.
  4. Once you have submitted the form, your name should appear at the top of the screen. You are now free to use ViewSpace with your new username and password. Screenshot of the ViewSpace Video Collections page showing the logged in user name at the top right on the webpage’s navigation bar.

Once you have registered, you can access the ViewSpace Collections via any internet-connected device.

  1. Navigate to https://viewspace.org.
  2. Enter your username and password.
  3. Choose from one of three playlists:
    • The ViewSpace Collection plays all Earth and space shows
    • The Space Collection plays videos focused on the Solar System, galaxy, and universe beyond Earth
    • The Earth Collection plays videos focused on Earth
Screenshot of the ViewSpace Video Collections page showing clickable images for the ViewSpace Collection (showing the curvature of Earth as seen from space), the Space Collection (showing a rectangular image of a glowing pink and blue spiral galaxy), and the Earth Collection (showing an image of water and land as seen from space).

Once you have signed up and logged in to ViewSpace, you have some control over the video while it is playing, as indicated in the following table.

To Press
Pause/Play Left click on your mouse or touchpad
Skip to next video Right arrow ➜
Toggle between full screen and windowed view f
Toggle mute on and off m
Show Help ?


To view specific videos, exit the Collections and go to the Video Library.

You can set up ViewSpace to play automatically (Kiosk Mode) after restarting the computer, without logging in. This allows you to run ViewSpace as seamlessly as possible, without training many additional staff.

Note: The following instructions describe how to set up Kiosk Mode using Google Chrome on a Windows computer; however, ViewSpace may be used with many different types of hardware and software. Currently, we offer user support in Google Chrome, although users have found success using other web browsers, devices, and setups.

  1. Set up Google Chrome to start automatically.
    • Change your settings so that Google Chrome will start automatically after the computer is rebooted. (You may need to get assistance from your IT specialist.) We have not included instructions here because the procedure differs from system to system.

    • Note: It is ok to skip this step altogether, or skip it for now and complete it later. If you do not perform this step, ViewSpace will still work, but you will need to restart Chrome every time the computer is restarted.

  2. Create a Kiosk Persona.

    Using a Kiosk Persona allows you to display ViewSpace without revealing any personal or institutional data.

    1. Open Google Chrome and click on your Profile icon at the top right.

    2. Click on Add to set up a new Chrome profile.

      Screenshot of the Google home page showing the user profile dropdown menu and the "Add" option circled.
    3. Click on Continue without account.

      Screenshot of the Google chrome page with "Set up your new Chrome Profile" with "Continue without an account" button circled in red.
    4. Customize your Chrome profile

      1. Give the new user a name.
      2. Pick an avatar.
      3. Choose a theme.
      4. Click Create a desktop shortcut for the user.
      5. Click Done.

      You should now have a Chrome shortcut with the new user name on your desktop.

      Screenshot of Google Chrome page titled "Customize your Chrome Profile" with a dragon avatar and name "Dragon McDragonface, Jr." A red arrow points to a screenshot on the right showing the desktop shortcut to Google Chrome with the dragon icon, labeled Dragon McDragon.
  3. Retrieve your auto-play URL.
    1. Log in to ViewSpace.org (https://viewspace.org) with your username and password.

    2. Go to your User Profile by clicking on your name (usually in the top right corner) or going to https://viewspace.org/profile.

      A screenshot on the left-hand side shows the ViewSpace Video Collections page with the Profile button in the upper right circled in red. A red arrow points to a screenshot on the right displaying the User Profile information fields that must be filled in to register an account, including First Name, Last Name, Phone, Job Title, and Your Profession Type.
    3. Scroll down to the bottom of the profile page. Here you will find your Auto-login URLs. Screenshot of the User Profile page zoomed in to the Authentication Token Information. The auto-logins for the ViewSpace Collection, Space Collection, and Earth Collection are circled in red.

    4. Copy the Auto-login URL of the video collection that you want to view (ViewSpace, Space, or Earth). Note: This URL includes your authentication token and is unique to you.

    5. Keep the window open for easy access in the next step.

  4. Set up your Kiosk Persona to play ViewSpace automatically.
    1. Right-click on the Shortcut for your new Kiosk Persona, which should be on your desktop (not on the taskbar) and select Properties. Screenshot of a computer desktop showing the dropdown menu from the Google Chrome shortcut for Dragon McDragonface. The Properties option at the very bottom of the dropdown menu is circled in red.

    2. In the Shortcut menu,

      1. Select Target.
      2. Add “ --kiosk” (space hyphen hyphen kiosk, without the quotation marks) to the end of the Target text.
      3. Then add the playlist Auto-login URL that you copied from your profile page (see previous step): "  [playlist name]" (space space playlist name, without the quotation marks) after “kiosk”.
      4. Click Apply.
      Screenshot on the left-hand side shows  the Chrome Properties dialog box with the Shortcut tab displayed. The field for Target is circled in red and the text in that field is highlighted in blue. A red arrows points right to the next screenshot, showing the Chrome Properties dialog box with the Shortcut tab displayed. The field for Target is circled in red. A third red arrow points farther right to a screenshot of the Chrome Properties dialog box with the Shortcut tab displayed. The field for Target is circled in red. There is a pull-out image of the field showing the series of letters and numbers that have been added to the field text. The Apply button is also circled in red.
    3. Click on the Shortcut to your Kiosk Persona to test it. If the settings are correct, your preferred playlist should now open in the Kiosk Persona user account in full-screen mode.

      • On the first launch, you may need to sign in. To avoid having to enter your username and password each time, choose Save when prompted to save your password.
      • Note: This will not open in full-screen if you already have Google Chrome open. But once you close your other Google Chrome windows and reopen, it should open in full-screen.

Note: This setup can enable visitors to access your computer if the keyboard or touchscreen is also accessible: Exiting ViewSpace (Alt-F4) will give a guest the opportunity to access your entire device. To increase security, we recommend keeping the keyboard or touchscreen in a location that is inaccessible to the public. For example, a librarian or museum educator may choose to place a desktop computer streaming ViewSpace in a locked cabinet, at a staffed desk, or in a room inaccessible to visitors near the screen displaying the videos.

Every ViewSpace video is produced with background music. However, a 2019 update of Google Chrome prevents advertisements with sound from playing automatically. Because this functionality affects all videos, including those on ViewSpace, the default for ViewSpace auto-play is now set for no sound.

To enable the sound during auto-play:

  1. On your profile page(viewspace.org/profile), scroll down and set "Sound with auto-login?" to yes and click on Update Sound. Screenshot of the Authentication Token Information section of the User Profile page on ViewSpace. The dropdown menu for "Sound with auto-login" is open and circled. "Yes" is highlighted.
  2. You’ll get a pop up reminder to view the Setup Guide. Click OK. Screenshot showing the pop-up reminder to view the setup guide, with the blue OK button circled in red.
  3. Open the Chrome shortcut to the profile you set up for Kiosk Mode, and go to Settings. Screenshot showing the Google Chrome browser with the Customize and control drop-down menu opened. The Settings option is circled in red.
  4. Click on Privacy and Security. Screenshot of the Google Chrome Settings screen with the Privacy and security option circled in red.
  5. Select Site Settings. Screenshot of the Google Chrome Settings/Privacy and security screen with the Site Settings option circled in red.
  6. Click on the Sound option. (You may need to expand Additional Content Settings.) Screenshot of the Google Chrome Settings/Privacy and security/Site Settings screen with the Additional Content Settings: Sound option circled in red.
  7. Click on Sites can play sound. Screenshot of the Google Chrome Settings/Privacy and security/Site Settings/Sound screen with the "Sites can play sound" radio button highlighted and circled in red.
  8. Add Viewspace.org as one of the allowed websites. Screenshot of the Google Chrome Settings/Privacy and security/Site Settings/Sound screen with the Allowed to play sound option with Add button circled in red.
    Screenshot of the Google Chrome Settings/Privacy and security/Site Settings/Sound screen greyed out with a popup for Add a site. "viewspace.org" has been typed into the field. There is an Add button at the bottom right of the popup.
  9. Test the new setup by clicking on the Shortcut you created earlier to start ViewSpace in kiosk mode.  If ViewSpace starts with sound, success!  If not, please review the steps listed above.

Installing the ViewSpace Interactives Web App

ViewSpace’s free Interactives Web App (hereafter referred to as “Web App”) provides direct access to the complete library of ViewSpace interactives from a mobile device’s home screen or a computer desktop, and can be locked using Guided Access (on iOS devices) or pinning (on Android devices) to prevent users from navigating away from the library to access other sites, apps, or functionalities, making the Web App ideal for use as an interactive kiosk or during informal education programs.

Note: The following instructions describe how to install the Web App using Google Chrome on a desktop computer (either Microsoft or iOS/Apple), Safari on an Apple (iOS) device, and Google Chrome on an Android device, respectively. However, ViewSpace may be compatible with many different types of hardware and software.

Installing the Web App on a Desktop

Note: The images in this section illustrate the steps for installing the Web App using Google Chrome on an iOS (Apple) desktop computer, however you can follow similar steps using Microsoft Edge.

  1. Open Google Chrome and go to ViewSpace.org. At the top right of the address bar, click the Install ViewSpace Interactives button.
    Screenshot of the ViewSpace home screen on Google Chrome. On the browser bar at the top right, a download icon is circled in red. Below the icon is a popup with the words "Install app? ViewSpace Interactives" along with a blue button on the bottom right labeled Install.
  2. Click on Install.
    • A shortcut to the Web App will appear on your desktop or in your Launchpad (Mac). Two screenshots show shortcuts to the ViewSpace Interactives Web App on the desktop screen of a Windows computer (pictured on the left) and an Apple computer (pictured on the right). Both icons show a greenish-blue illustration of half of the earth surrounded by atmosphere, three stars, and a galaxy above. The icon on the left, from a Windows computer desktop, has a small blue arrow inside of a white box, positioned over the bottom left-hand corner of the icon illustration.
    • In addition, the next time you access the website, the install button will be replaced with a link to open the Web App.
      Screenshot of the ViewSpace home page. On the right side of the browser bar is a launch icon that is circled, which resembles a box with an arrow pointing out of it diagonally upward to the right. Below the icon is a popup with the words Open with and ViewSpace Interactives. A highlighted Open button is at the bottom right of the popup.

Installing the Web App on an iOS Mobile Device

  1. Open viewspace.org in Safari.
  2. Click on the share icon, either on the top of bottom of the screen (this resembles a box with an arrow emerging from the top).
    Screenshot of the ViewSpace home screen on Safari. A share icon (a square with an arrow pointing upward) is in the upper right and is circled in red.
  3. Choose the Add to Home Screen option.
    Screenshot of the ViewSpace home screen on Safari showing a dropdown menu. The option "Add to Home Screen" is circled in red.
  4. Click Add to Home Screen. This will install the Web App to the device.
    Screenshot of the ViewSpace home screen. In the upper right is the Add the Home Screen menu, with the Add option circled in red.
  5. The ViewSpace app icon should now appear on your home or app screen.
    Screenshot of the mobile app screen with a shortcut icon labeled ViewSpace. The icon is greenish-blue and includes an illustration of Earth surrounded by atmosphere, with stars and a galaxy above.

Securing the Web App on an iOS Mobile Device

  1. To prevent users from navigating away from the Web App to other websites or applications when using your iOS device as an interactive kiosk or during programs, you can set up Guided Access. To do this, first open the Accessibility menu within Settings, and click on Guided Access.
    Screenshot showing the Settings menu on the left with the Accessibility option highlighted. On the right is the Accessibility menu with Guided Access circled in red.
  2. Toggle on Guided Access and follow the instructions to set up a passcode. Note: Guided Access will apply to all of your apps, not just ViewSpace.
    Screenshot showing the Settings menu on the left with the Accessibility option highlighted. On the right is the Guided Access box. The Guided Access on/off toggle is circled in red.
  3. To turn off Guided Access on an iOS device, you can do any of the following:
    • Triple-click the side button or Home button on your device, and then enter the Guided Access passcode you created (see previous step).
    • On an iPad or iPhone with Face ID turned on, you can double-click the side button on your device, then use your Face ID to unlock the screen.
    • On an iPhone or iPad with Touch ID turned on, you can double-click the Home button, then unlock the screen with your fingerprint using Touch ID.

Note: The following instructions detail how to install the Web App on a Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 (hereafter referred to as “Samsung tablet”) using Google Chrome, however it may also work using other browsers. Please note that not all Android devices may follow the same installation process.

Installing the Web App on an Android Mobile Device

  1. Open ViewSpace.org in Google Chrome.
  2. Click on the three dots in the upper navigation bar. From the resulting drop-down menu, select Install app.
    Two Samsung tablet screens are shown side by side showing the ViewSpace website opened in Google Chrome. On the screen to the left, the right side of the top navigation bar has three dots circled in red. The second screen shows a red arrow and circle highlighting the words "Install app" from the drop down menu resulting from clicking on the three dots.
  3. Click Install. A pop-up may appear that asks if you’d like to view the installed application.
    Screenshot of the Google Chrome pop up notification box confirming that the user would like to "Install App," with the "Install" button circled.
  4. The ViewSpace Web App icon should now appear on your home screen.
    Image of a Samsung tablet screen with the ViewSpace Interactives web app shortcut icon circled and indicated with a red arrow. The web app icon is greenish-blue and includes an illustration of Earth surrounded by atmosphere, with three stars and a galaxy above.

Securing the Web App on an Android Mobile Device

If you’d like to set up an Android mobile device for use during public programs or as an interactive kiosk, follow these instructions to pin the app so users can’t navigate away from the ViewSpace Interactives. Note: “Pin windows” is Samsung Galaxy Tab S8’s version of Guided Access. Other manufacturers may have their own built-in version or may allow you to download third party applications that fulfil the same function.

  1. To enable “Pin windows,” first open Settings, and then click on the section called Biometrics and security.
    Images of two Samsung tablet screens side by side, with a red arrow pointing to the Settings shortcut icon on the home screen on the tablet pictured to the left. The screen on the right shows the Settings page opened on the tablet with a red arrow pointing to the top section on the left-hand side, labelled Biometrics and Security.
  2. Click on Other security settings to access the second-level settings.
    Screenshot showing the security settings menu on a Samsung tablet, with a red arrow pointing to the Other security settings option on the right-hand side of the screen.
  3. Scroll down until you find the Pin windows section, and click on the toggle to activate. Then, click on the text to define its additional settings. Screenshot showing the security settings menu on a Samsung tablet, with a red arrow pointing to the second option from the drop-down menu on the righthand side that says "Pin windows." The toggle beside the words Pin windows is highlighted in blue, indicating it has been turned on.
  4. Follow the instructions to create a PIN or Password (if you don’t have one already) to secure your device while displaying a pinned application.

  5. Turn on the Ask for PIN before unpinning toggle to ensure that users cannot navigate away from the Web App once it has been pinned. Screenshot showing the security settings menu on a Samsung tablet, with a red arrow pointing to the toggle beside the words "Ask for PIN before unpinning," which is highlighted in blue, indicating it has been turned on.
  6. Using the navigation bar at the bottom of your home screen, click on the Recents button (resembles three vertical tally marks) to open your recently opened apps. From there, click on the ViewSpace Web App icon to display the drop-down menu of options. Screenshot of the lower portion of a Samsung tablet screen. It displays a red-circled navigation button on the lower left that resembles three vertical tally lines, with a red arrow pointing to its location. Screenshot of the top half of a Samsung tablet screen with the recent applications opened. The ViewSpace Interactives Web App icon is circled in red with a red arrow pointing to it. The web app icon is greenish-blue and includes an illustration of Earth surrounded by atmosphere, with three stars and a galaxy above.
  7. Select Pin this app from the drop-down menu. This will now pin the application or window on the Samsung tablet’s screen. Screenshot of the top half of a Samsung tablet screen showing the recent applications opened. On the far right, the drop-down menu of options displayed from clicking on the ViewSpace Interactives web app icon is shown, with a red arrow pointing to the last option that says "Pin this app."
  8. With the Web App pinned on the screen, now those using the Samsung tablet will not be able to exit the interactives without knowing the unlock code or pattern that you have defined.

  9. To deactivate or stop pinning the Web App: Press and hold the back (shown as an arrow pointing left) and recent applications button (shown as three vertical bars) at the same time (as shown in the image below). A screenshot of the bottom of a Samsung tablet screen with a pop-up notification that reads "App is pinned, to unpin this app, touch and hold the Recents and Back buttons at the same time." The image has two red arrows pointing to the Recents and back buttons, which are located in the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen.


Support and Contact Information

If you have trouble following any part of this document, cannot find answers to your questions within it, or wish to provide feedback, you can contact us directly at: support@viewspace.org.