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 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: Open Wednesdays 6:00 pm–8:00 pm, Thursdays and Saturdays 1:00 pm–3:00 pm
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

October 2024 Adler Researchers And Visiting Scientists In The SVL

Saturday, October 12, 2024
Alexandra Hanselman (University of Chicago): Gravitational-wave Astronomy
Dr. Cyndia Yu (Argonne, University of Chicago): Cosmology, Cosmic Microwave Background, Instrumentation

Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Xuan Ji (University of Chicago): Exoplanets, Planetary Climate, Habitability
Dr. Christoph Welling (University of Chicago): Astroparticle Physics, Neutrinos

Thursday, October 17, 2024
Dr. Giacomo Terreran (Adler Planetarium): Supernovae, Light Pollution

Saturday, October 19, 2024
Daniel Glazer (University of Chicago): Black Holes, Theoretical Cosmology
Erik Solhaug (University of Chicago): First Galaxies, Gravitational Lensing, Reionization

Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Amanda Farah (University of Chicago): Gravitational-wave Astronomy
Kierstin Sorensen (Northwestern University): Gravitational Waves, White Dwarfs, LISA

Thursday, October 24, 2024
Dr. Geza Gyuk (Adler Planetarium): High-energy Astrophysics, Asteroids, Light Pollution, General Astronomy

Saturday, October 26, 2024
Ilia Kiato (Northwestern University): Compact Binaries, Stellar Evolution
Dr. Lauren Saunders (Fermilab): Cosmic Microwave Background Experimentation

Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Dr. Dylan Temples (Fermilab): Dark Matter Direct Detection

Thursday, October 31, 2024
Dr. Mike Zevin (Adler Planetarium): Gravitational Waves, Compact Objects, Stellar Evolution, General Astronomy

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.