3DMAP-VR, a project to visualize 3-dimensional models of astrophysical phenomena in virtual reality

TL;DR

3DMAP-VR is a virtual reality project that visualizes complex 3D magnetohydrodynamic models of astrophysical phenomena, integrating detailed physical processes for enhanced scientific understanding and outreach.

Contribution

It introduces a VR platform for detailed 3D visualization of astrophysical MHD models, combining multiple physical processes and promoting dissemination via Sketchfab.

Findings

Successful integration of physical processes in VR models

Enhanced visualization for scientific and public outreach

Synergy with Sketchfab for dissemination

Abstract

In this research note, we present 3DMAP-VR,(3-Dimensional Modeling of Astrophysical Phenomena in Virtual Reality), a project aimed at visualizing 3D MHD models of astrophysical simulations, using virtual reality sets of equipment. The models account for all the relevant physical processes in astrophysical phenomena: gravity, magnetic-field-oriented thermal conduction, energy losses due to radiation, gas viscosity, deviations from proton-electron temperature equilibration, deviations from the ionization equilibrium, cosmic rays acceleration, etc.. We realized an excellent synergy between our 3DMAP-VR project and Sketchfab (one of the largest open access platforms to publish and share 3D virtual reality and augmented reality content) to promote a wide dissemination of results for both scientific and public outreach purposes.