Space Visualization Lab
Talk to astronomers about cutting-edge research and experience awe-inspiring visualizations!
In this working laboratory, scientists, technology experts, artists, and educators work together to create new ways for people to virtually explore the universe. Since its inauguration in 2007, the Space Visualization Lab has brought cutting-edge research from scientists in the most prominent institutions around the country, as well as immersive and interactive technologies to the museum floor. In the Space Visualization Lab, visitors can experience new interactive and immersive visualizations and attend presentations by astronomers and related researchers featuring these visualizations.
Astronomy Conversations
As the featured program inside the Space Visualization Lab (SVL), Astronomy Conversations hosts Adler researchers and visiting scientists to engage museum guests about their research, complemented by SVL visuals, but lets the museum guests steer the conversation towards any astronomical topic they are interested in.
Having practicing scientists interact with museum guests in this space helps to disseminate cutting-edge astronomical research while adding a crucial human element to scientific research and making space science more accessible.
- Hours: Wednesdays 6:00 pm–8:00 pm and Saturdays 1:00 pm–3:00 pm
- Hours (School Groups Only): Thursdays 11:00 am–12:00 pm
- Location: Located on the Lower Level in between the entrances to the Community Stargazers Hub, and Telescopes: Through The Looking Glass exhibitions
- Perfect for museum guests of all ages
Upcoming 2025 Adler Researchers & Visiting Scientists
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 (6:00 pm–8:00 pm)
Dr. Ish Gupta (Northwestern University): Gravitational Waves, Compact Objects, Cosmology
Dr. Yunyang Li (University of Chicago): Cosmology, Cosmic Microwave Background
Thursday, November 6, 2025 (11:00 am–12:00 pm)
Open For School Groups
Dr. Nycole McGreevy (Adler Planetarium): Radio Astronomy, Galactic Center
Saturday, November 8, 2025 (1:00 pm–3:00 pm)
Henna Abunemeh (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign): Supernovae and Spectroscopy
Austen Fourkas (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign): Radio Astronomy, Circumstellar Disks
Achintya Krishnan (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign): Cosmic Microwave Background
Shurui Lin (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign): Cosmology, AI
Darby McCauley (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign): Cosmology, Instrumentation
Yashasvi Moon (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign): Black Holes
Tanner Murphey (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign): Supernova Observations
Liam Nolan (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign): Binary Active Galactic Nuclei
Spencer Wilken (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign): Astronomy Education, AI in Astronomy
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 (6:00 pm–8:00 pm)
Andrew Marszewski (Northwestern University): Extragalactic Astrophysics
Imran Sultan (Northwestern University): Galaxy Formation, Cosmology
Thursday, November 13, 2025 (11:00 am–12:00 pm)
Open For School Groups
Dr. Katie Boyce-Jacino (Adler Planetarium): History of Astronomy and Planetariums
Adler Planetarium’s Collections Team
Saturday, November 15, 2025 (1:00 pm–3:00 pm)
Daniel Glazer (University of Chicago): Black Holes, Theoretical Cosmology
Yiqing Guo (Northwestern University): Gravitational Waves Sources, Globular Clusters
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 (6:00 pm–8:00 pm)
To Be Announced
Thursday, November 20, 2025 (11:00 am–12:00 pm)
Open For School Groups
Dr. Geza Gyuk (Adler Planetarium): High-energy Astrophysics, Asteroids, Light Pollution, General Astronomy
Saturday, November 22, 2025 (1:00 pm–3:00 pm)
To be announced
Wednesday, November 26, 2025 (6:00 pm–8:00 pm)
Ryn Grutkoski (University of Chicago): Theoretical Cosmology
Thursday, November 27, 2025 (11:00 am–12:00 pm)
Museum Closed for Thanksgiving
Saturday, November 29, 2025 (1:00 pm–3:00 pm)
Gideon McFarland (Northwestern University): Dark Energy
Edward Skrabacz (Northwestern University): Black Holes, Cosmology
Worldwide Telescope
Worldwide Telescope (WWT) is an open-source visualization software package that enables your computer to function as a virtual telescope. Adler SVL staff have contributed to the content and development of WWT. Worldwide Telescope was used to create the Adler’s former sky show, Cosmic Wonder, and it powers several exhibits throughout the museum.
