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, Thursdays 11:00 am–12:00 pm, and Saturdays 11:00 am–3:00 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

Thursday, August 7, 2025 (11:00 am–12:00 pm)
Dr. Laura Trouille (Adler Planetarium): Citizen Science, Galaxy Evolution

Saturday, August 9, 2025 (11:00 am–1:00 pm)
Dr. Christopher O’Connor (Northwestern University): Extrasolar Planets, Stellar Evolution, Fluid Dynamics
Dr. Yunyang Li (University of Chicago): Cosmology, Cosmic Microwave Background

Saturday, August 9, 2025 (1:00 pm–3:00 pm)
Nathalie Korhonen Cuestas (Northwestern University): Galaxy Evolution

Wednesday, August 13, 2025 (6:00 pm–8:00 pm)
TBA

Thursday, August 14, 2025 (11:00 am–12:00 pm)
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Saturday, August 16, 2025 (11:00 am–1:00 pm)
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Saturday, August 16, 2025 (1:00 pm–3:00 pm)
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Wednesday, August 20, 2025 (6:00 pm–8:00 pm)
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Thursday, August 21, 2025 (11:00 am–12:00 pm)
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Saturday, August 23, 2025 (11:00 am–1:00 pm)
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Saturday, August 23, 2025 (1:00 pm–3:00 pm)
Andrew Marszewski (Northwestern University): Extragalactic Astrophysics
Imran Sultan (Northwestern University): Galaxy Formation, Cosmology

Wednesday, August 27, 2025 (6:00 pm–8:00 pm)
Ryn Grutkoski (University of Chicago): Theoretical Cosmology

Thursday, August 28, 2025 (11:00 am–12:00 pm)
Dr. Michael Zevin (Adler Planetarium): Gravitational Waves, Compact Objects, Stellar Evolution, General Astronomy

Saturday, August 30, 2025 (11:00 am–1:00 pm)
TBA

Saturday, August 30, 2025 (1:00 pm–3:00 pm)
Dr. Houri Christina Tarazi (University of Chicago): String Theory, Quantum Gravity

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.