Many thanks to all who participated in our 2017 Aesthetics & Astronomy survey. Below is the abstract for our latest paper on the “Many Faces of Cassiopeia A”. The paper is open access and may be read in full at … Continue reading
Project UpdatesThe Aesthetics & Astronomy (A&A) project studies expert and non-expert perceptions of astronomy images across multiple platforms, and the possible effects of scientific and artistic choices in processing astronomical data. Keep tabs on the latest studies, publications, multimedia and other products and information with the A&A blog. |  |
Black Holes and Vacuum Cleaners: Using Metaphors to Explain Space Images
Scientific imagery, especially those from space, can be both powerful and beautiful. The images created by professional and amateur astronomers alike are often striking. This gives science communicators an opportunity to use such images as an access point for the … Continue reading
Posted in Updates
Is That Real? Understanding Astronomical Images
Our 2014 follow-up Aesthetics & Astronomy study examined what is believed to be “real” in images and how people – particularly non-experts – respond to and understand information that astronomical images attempt to convey. A convenience sample of 1,956 responded … Continue reading
Posted in Publications
Two New A&A Papers
Here are two of the latest Aesthetics & Astronomy papers to peruse, both printed in 2015. The first is on the topic of false color and trust in astronomical imagery. The second paper analyzes data we took at a number … Continue reading
Posted in Publications
Examining Perceptions Of Astronomy Images Across Mobile Platforms
In the first of two follow-up Aesthetics & Astronomy studies from 2010, an online survey and focus groups were used to explore whether mobile platforms affect perception of astronomy images. In the online study, participants on their mobile devices were … Continue reading
Posted in Publications, Updates
Processing Color in Astronomical Imagery
A recent paper from some of the Aesthetics & Astronomy group team members in Studies in Media and Communication discusses the pipeline of creating astronomical images and related ethical issues in adding color to science data. Read the article free … Continue reading
Posted in Updates
Wonder and Sublime in Space Imagery
Amanda Berry, an MFA graduate student at Kendall College of Art and Design in Michigan, is researching “space” as a visual knowledge field. She asked some great questions to the Aesthetics & Astronomy project, which Jeffrey Smith kindly answered. We … Continue reading
Posted in Updates
A&A Goes to the AAAS
On Sunday, Kim Arcand will be talking Aesthetics & Astronomy (A&A) at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) with the A&A group’s latest poster on examining perceptions of astronomy images across mobile platforms. Below is a summary … Continue reading
Posted in Updates
Aesthetics & Astronomy Awash in Crimson
Normally, the Aesthetics & Astronomy (A&A) project celebrates all colors of the rainbow and even beyond — including the invisible ones beyond like X-rays and radio waves. Recently, however, we have a slightly preference for crimson with two different articles … Continue reading
Posted in Publications
SciTed by L & J Smith
Drs. Lisa and Jeffrey Smith, professors at the University of Otago New Zealand and members of the Aesthetics & Astronomy project at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory present a talk at SciTED New Zealand.
Posted in Videos