Holding the Cosmos in Your Hand: Developing 3D Modeling and Printing Pipelines for Communications and Research

TL;DR

This paper explores the development of 3D modeling and printing pipelines for astrophysical data to enhance scientific communication and accessibility, especially for visually impaired audiences, through tactile and extended reality modalities.

Contribution

It introduces a pipeline for creating 3D printed and extended reality representations of astrophysical data, emphasizing accessibility and new scientific communication methods.

Findings

3D printing makes abstract data accessible to visually impaired individuals.

The pipeline supports diverse data visualization methods including XR and sonification.

Potential applications include education, outreach, and scientific research enhancement.

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) visualization has opened up a Universe of possible scientific data representations. 3D printing has the potential to make seemingly abstract and esoteric data sets accessible, particularly through the lens of translating data into forms that can be explored in the tactile modality for people who are blind or visually impaired. This article will briefly review 3D modeling in astrophysics, astronomy, and planetary science, before discussing 3D printed astrophysical and planetary geophysical data sets and their current and potential applications with non-expert audiences. The article will also explore the prospective pipeline and benefits of other 3D data outputs in accessible scientific research and communications, including extended reality and data sonification.