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, October 15, 2025 (6:00 pm–8:00 pm)
Pavani Jairam (Northwestern University): High Energy Astrophysics
Emily Simon (University of Chicago): Supernovae, Particle Physics

Thursday, October 16, 2025 (11:00 am–12:00 pm)
Astronomy Conversations will be unavailable on this date.

Saturday, October 18, 2025 (1:00 pm–3:00 pm)
Erik Solhaug (University of Chicago): First Galaxies, Gravitational Lensing, Reionization

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 (6:00 pm–8:00 pm)
Ryn Grutkoski (University of Chicago): Theoretical Cosmology

Thursday, October 23, 2025 (11:00 am–12:00 pm)
Open For School Groups
Dr. Michael Zevin (Adler Planetarium): Gravitational Waves, Compact Objects, Stellar Evolution, General Astronomy

Saturday, October 25, 2025 (1:00 pm–3:00 pm)
Dr. Amy Bender (Argonne National Lab): Cosmic Microwave Background, Cosmology

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 (6:00 pm–8:00 pm)
Daisy Bissonette (University of Chicago): Dwarf Galaxies, Galactic Archaeology, Stars
Dr. Katie Harrington (Argonne National Lab): Experimental Cosmology, Cosmic Microwave Background

Thursday, October 30, 2025 (11:00 am–12:00 pm)
Open For School Groups
Dr. Shanika Galaudage (Adler Planetarium/Northwestern): Gravitational Waves, Compact Objects

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.