Demonstration of the applicability of 3D Slicer to Astronomical Data Using 13CO and C18O Observations of IC348

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how 3D Slicer, a tool originally for brain imaging, can be effectively used to visualize and analyze 3D astronomical data, specifically for the IC 348 star-forming region, enhancing the identification of dense cores and velocity structures.

Contribution

It introduces the novel application of 3D Slicer to astronomical data visualization, bridging medical imaging tools with astrophysics research.

Findings

3D Slicer successfully visualizes astronomical data cubes in RA-DEC-Velocity space.

The visualization improves identification of dense cores and velocity structures.

Potential for specialized astrophysics features in future versions.

Abstract

3D Slicer, a brain imaging and visualization computer application developed at Brigham and Women's Hospital's Surgical Planning Lab, was used to visualize the IC 348 star-forming complex in Perseus in RA-DEC-Velocity space. This project is part of a collaboration between Harvard University's Astronomy Department and Medical School, and serves as a proof-of-concept technology demonstration for Harvard's Institute for Innovative Computing (IIC). 3D Slicer is capable of displaying volumes (data cubes), slices in any direction through the volume, 3D models generated from the volume, and 3D models of label maps. The 3D spectral line maps of IC 348 were created using 13CO and C18O data collected at the FCRAO (Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory). The 3D visualization makes the identification of the cloud's inner dense cores and velocity structure components easier than current conventional astronomical methods. It is planned for 3D Slicer to be enhanced with astrophysics-specific features resulting in an astronomical version to be available online through the IIC and in conjunction with the National Virtual Observatory (NVO).