Space Visualization Lab
In this working laboratory, scientists, technicians, artists, and educators work together to create new ways for people to explore the universe.
The Laboratory
At the Space Visualization Laboratory (SVL), people can experience the prototypes of new interactive visualizations that will eventually move to other areas of the museum, and attend presentations by astronomers and related researchers that take advantage of the visualizations. Modern astronomical instruments produce such massive amounts of data that astronomers now rely on a diverse array of tools to properly display and analyze this information. Developing visualizations further enables scientists and the public to explore and interact with these large datasets in specialized ways. SVL — exploring the universe through visualization!
Open House
Monday-Friday: 12:00-1:00 p.m.
During SVL Open House hours, visitors can look behind the scenes at the technology and processes used to construct visualizations, play with new technology and learn how scientists use data to form images.
Astronomy Conversations
Monday-Friday: 2:00-3:00 p.m.
During Astronomy Conversations, visitors can interact with Adler space science and technology experts and talk about ongoing projects.
KICP Saturdays
Saturday: 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Curious about the Universe and those who spend their time trying to understand it? Join us on Saturdays when scientists from the University of Chicago’s Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics host Astronomy Conversations. Be part of the dialogue and exchange of ideas with these dynamic researchers who will provide first hand accounts of forefront research taking place at the South Pole, deep down in mines, on distant mountain peaks in Chile, and in front of computer terminals.
Citizen Science Sunday
Sunday: 1:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
This week: Hunting for Planets
We need your help! Together, you and our science team, will look for planets around other stars. In this interactive program you will analyze data from NASA's Kepler spacecraft, learn what transits can tell us about other stars and how to identify them. Your participation may lead to the next great discovery!
| Speaker | Date |
|---|---|
| Jeff Grube | May 1, 23 |
| Jose Francisco Salgado | May 2, 30 |
| Mark Hammergren | May 3, 21 |
| Doug Roberts | May 4, 11 |
| Chris Greer* | May 5 |
| Elise Jennings* | May 5, 12 |
| Paul Knappenberger | May 7, 14 |
| Vivien Raymond | May 8, 15 |
| Mike Solontoi | May 9, 10, 22 |
| Stephen Hoover* | May 12 |
| Grace Wolf-Chase | May 16, 18, 31 |
| Abby Crites* | May 17 |
| Nahee Park* | May 19 |
| Kai Cai | May 24, 29 |
| Kim Arvidsson | May 25 |
| Anupreeta* & Surhud More* | May 26 |
| Ben Farr | May 28 |
* KICP member
Current Projects
Astronomy Conversations
Staff Varies
The public is invited into the SVL for an informal discussion with a working scientist or science historian. The experts rotate among Adler staff, scientists from the Kavli Institute of Cosmological Physics at University of Chicago, from the Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics at Northwestern, and astronomers from other local Universities and visiting scientists. These experts make use of the various displays, such as stereoscopic and ultra-high resolution displays) to answer the public’s questions and explain their research. Part of the program may also involve live telescope observing from the Canary Islands courtesy of SLOOH.com.
Making Galaxies
Mark SubbaRao, Ph.D., José Francisco Salgado, Ph.D., Julieta Aguilera
This high-definition stereoscopic video is a joint production of the Space Visualization Laboratory and the Advanced Visualization Laboratory at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign. It explores the interplay between observations and simulations and features state of the art scientific visualizations.
Learn more on the Making Galaxies website.
Worldwide Telescope
Mark SubbaRao, Ph.D., Doug Roberts, Ph.D.
The Space Visualization Lab staff have contributed to the development of Microsoft Research’s Worldwide Telescope contributing guided tours and helping to build the extra-galactic dataset.
Making Pictures and Artifacts Come Alive
Mark SubbaRao, Ph.D., Julieta Aguilera
SVL researchers are exploring the use of visual barcodes in the museum setting. The technology, called Tag, is from Microsoft.
Resources
Gallery Guide (English)
Gallery Guide (Spanish)
Device Descriptions
- Around the Adler
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Talk to scientists during our regularly scheduled Space Visualization Laboratory open hours.
- Did you know?
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The Adler is partners with NASA for missions including the Interstellar Boundary Explorer.
- Get involved
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The Webster Club provides financial support for the care and growth of our collection.
