Visualizing scientific graphics for astronomy and astrophysics

ABSTRACT

The combination of astronomy and computational sciences plays an important role in how members of the astronomical community visualize their data. Larger detectors in the optical/IR, increasing bandwidth in radio interferometers, and large N astrophysical simulations drive the need for visualization solutions. These visualization purposes include exploring the dynamical phase space of data cubes, surface mapping, large catalogs, and volumetric rendering. The use of 3D computer graphics in the movie, television, and gaming industry has led the development of useful computer algorithms for optimizing the display of complex data structures while taking advantage of new hardware paradigms like GPU processing. Melding the exciting scientific results with state of the art computer graphics cannot only help with scientific analysis and phase space discovery, but also with graphics for education and public outreach. The visual impact of astronomy cannot be understated - for both the community of scientists and how to present to the public with higher accuracy our results.

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