the final frontier

Google's '100,000 Stars' project brings the stellar neighborhood closer to home

Google recently released their latest science project, a galactic visualization simulator they call “100,000 Stars.” The web application developed by the search engine company’s research division, Google Labs, allows the user to explore our stellar neighborhood using either Chrome or Firefox web browsers.

Using data collected by NASA and the European Space Agency, Google has put together an interactive map of 100,000 of the stars nearest to our solar system, including our closest neighbor, Alpha Centauri.

By clicking and zooming the user can adjust the orientation of the Milky Way and get a closer look at some of the larger, studied stars within the galaxy. Each of the named stars has a brief description as well as an artistic rendition of what the star might look like close up.

100,000 Stars isn’t just a step forward in mapping the galaxy, it’s also a benchmark test for Google’s powerful Chrome web browser. The web application uses advanced technologies such as WebGL, CSS3D and Web Audio to create a fluid, and seamless interactive product that is a sure indication of what the internet is becoming and what it will be capable of doing.

Along with ability to explore the galaxy individually, Google has also included a guided tour scored by acclaimed video game composer Sam Hulick, best known for the atmospheric tunes he created for the sci-fi trilogy Mass Effect.

The project is a small but important step toward public understanding of the universe, and Google has done a great job of making the experience both accessible and engaging. It’s easy to get lost in the sheer massiveness of our galaxy, jumping from star to star and obtaining a solid grasp of just how unfathomably large the universe is.

Take some time over the holiday to explore the galaxy with Google, and be thankful that publicly advancing scientific knowledge is still important in our tiny, fraction of the universe.

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100,000 Stars currently supports Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox web browsers, but works best within Google’s own product.

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Self-driving Roller Coaster

More self-driving cars expected to roll out in Austin for 2025

Photo courtesy of Waymo via KVUE

Various brands offering self-driving cars are on-and-off in Austin.

Expect to see more self-driving rideshare vehicles, also known as robotaxis, on Austin roads next year.

Robotaxi company Waymo, which you may have already seen on Austin's roads, is partnering with Uber. At some point next year, customers will be able to use the Uber app to call a self-driving ride.

Austin-based company Avride is in the testing phase and plans to roll out its robotaxis next year.

Currently, Volkswagen ADMT and Amazon's Zoox are in the testing phase in Austin, while Hyundai's Motional is in the mapping phase.

Last year, robotaxi company Cruise paused operations in Austin after the California Department of Motor Vehicles revoked the company's permits to operate driverless vehicles in the state. And last week, General Motors said it would no longer fund the company because of the time and resources needed.

This way of getting around has come with its safety concerns and issues. The city is tracking those concerns. According to the Transportation Department, the problems span from blocking the roads and parking in front of people's homes for weeks with lights beaming through their windows, to actual wrecks.

Since July 2023, robotaxis have been involved in 75 incidents. Only 21 of those incidents happened in 2024. It's important to note that Cruise has not been operating in Austin this year.

Since July 2023, driverless rideshare vehicles have been involved in 22 near collisions, eight collisions and seven instances where driverless taxis ignored directions from the Austin Police Department (APD).

According to the data, at least four of those Austin police incidents happened in recent months. The issues varied from driving through police checkpoints, to malfunctioning and getting stuck at an APD road closure near pedestrians, causing safety concerns.

A Waymo spokesperson said their vehicles have gesture recognition capabilities, which they've been training APD officers on using.

As the report shows, sometimes it does not work and Waymo said it is working to improve that. The spokesperson said that as of just last week, Waymo's First Responder Program has been independently verified by TÜV SÜD, making Waymo the first autonomous vehicle (AV) company to receive third-party validation for our emergency response protocols. They also said the data to date indicates the Waymo Driver is already reducing traffic injuries and fatalities in the places where the company currently operates.

Read the full story and watch the video at KVUE.com.

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