Visualizing the universe, part 2

It is now possible to create animated views of the universe that are realistic, physically relevant, and breathtaking. To demonstrate the point, we describe our efforts to navigate the CfA redshift survey. For our project, we selected several CCD images of spiral and elliptical galaxies, and placed them at their observed positions in redshift space. We demonstrate how, by choreographing aesthetically pleasing trajectories, we are able to develop our own and the viewer's intuition about the large-scale structures found in the CfA redshift survey. We show for instance that three-dimensional motion enhances significantly our perception of voids and sheets in the distribution of galaxies. Such sophistication happily has become possible with the 'coming of age' of observational cosmology, as data have grown to drive the field

Visualizing the universe, part 1

These decades are the first in which we can begin to map the universe. Recent surveys reveal patterns in the distribution of galaxies -- patterns coherent on scales of 150 million light years or more. These patterns contrast with the smoothness of the radiation background measured by the COBE satellite. Together these observations challenge our understanding of the origin of galaxies and large-scale structure in the universe. 'Visualizing the universe' is crucial for exploring the 3-dimensional maps, for analyzing them, for comparing the data with simulations, for designing instruments to make deeper maps with new large telescopes, and for sharing the excitement of discovery with the public

A model universe with variable dimension: Expansion as decrumpling

We propose a model universe, in which the dimension of the space is a continuous variable, which can take any real positive number. The dynamics leads to a model in which the universe has no singularity. The difference between our model and the standard Friedman-Robertson-Walker models become effective for times much before the presently accepted age of the universe.Comment: 12 pages, emTeX version 3.0, no figure

The Art of Planetary Science: Art as a Tool for Scientific Inquiry and Public Discourse around Space Exploration

Art can be a powerful tool in science engagement efforts to help facilitate learning and public discourse around space and space exploration. The Art of Planetary Science is an annual exhibition combining science and art which aims to help people to connect more meaningfully to science outside of traditional education models. Works solicited from scientists and from the public explore the beauty of the universe, as well as communicate and abstract scientific concepts from an artistic framework. These events offer the public a unique perspective on science and an opportunity to participate in dialogue around how and why we explore space. As an extension of the exhibition, a series of workshops for artists and educators focuses on techniques in creating science-driven art and how it can be used as a tool for scientific inquiry. We will discuss our success with these efforts and the important role that art can play in shaping the evolving narrative of humanity's relationship to space.Comment: 18 pages, 6 figures, special issue on art and scienc

Recent Conceptual Consequences of Loop Quantum Gravity. Part I: Foundational Aspects

Conceptual consequences of recent results in loop quantum gravity are collected and discussed here in view of their implications for a modern philosophy of science which is mainly understood as one that totalizes scientific insight so as to eventually achieve a consistent model of what may be called fundamental heuristics on an onto-epistemic background which is part of recently proposed transcendental materialism. This enterprise is being understood as a serious attempt of answering recent appeals to philosophy so as to provide a conceptual foundation for what is going on in modern physics, and of bridging the obvious gap between physics and philosophy. This present first part of the paper deals with foundational aspects of this enterprise, a second part will deal with its holistic aspects.Comment: 25 page

Second Annual Conference on Astronomical Data Analysis Software and Systems. Abstracts

Abstracts from the conference are presented. The topics covered include the following: next generation software systems and languages; databases, catalogs, and archives; user interfaces/visualization; real-time data acquisition/scheduling; and IRAF/STSDAS/PROS status reports