RASCTO Speaker's Night: Visualizing the Universe for NASA [Online Only]

Speaker: Mark SubbaRao, PhD

Speaker Title/Institution: Lead, NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio

Title: Quasars: Visualizing the Universe for NASA

Abstract: This presentation will show highlights from the recent work of NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio (SVS). The SVS creates beautiful visualizations of NASA science, from deep space to our home planet. We will explore the key role that visualization played in supporting the Artemis II mission and plans for NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope currently on its journey out to L2. We will show visualizations of space weather and talk about its impact both here on Earth and for human exploration out into the solar system. Finally, we will showcase the Earth Information Center, a series of physical exhibits that attempt to serve as a “Mission Control” for planet Earth.

Speaker Bio: Mark SubbaRao leads NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio, a group tasked with visualizing NASA science results for public audiences. Before joining NASA, Mark spent 18 years at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, where he produced planetarium shows and designed museum exhibits featuring data-driven scientific visualizations. During 2019-2020 Mark served as President of the International Planetarium Society (IPS), where he spearheaded the ‘Data to Dome’’ initiative - an effort to prepare the planetarium community for the big data era. Before that he worked at the University of Chicago where he was part of a team that created the largest 3D map of the Universe, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Mark SubbaRao has a PhD in Astrophysics from The Johns Hopkins University. He is the author of over 100 scientific publications. Mark's visualizations have been widely featured in print, TV, and museums. His visualization work has been recognized with significant awards including the NSF's Vizzies, The International Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge, and the Deauville Green Awards. Asteroid 170009 Subbarao is named in recognition of Mark’s work on the Sloan Digital Sky Survey.

Who can attend: Everyone

Fee: Free

Registration: Not required

Organized by: RASC, Toronto Centre and York University

Link: https://www.youtube.com/rasctoronto/live