journal issue 10|December 2010

Communicating Astronomy with the Public

Aesthetics & Astronomy The Public’s perception of astronomical images Big Bang How well is it communicated to the public? Disney’s Phineas & Ferb Explore the Moon with Galileo

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Editor-in-Chief Megan Watzke IAU DIVISION XII, Sponsored by Pedro Russo Lisa F. Smith Commission 55: IAU, ESO and ESA/ST-ECF Jeffrey K. Smith Communicating Executive Editor Florian Freistetter Astronomy with the Public CAPjournal Lars Lindberg Christensen Giulia Iafrate Journal Working Group Communicating Massimo Ramella Lars Lindberg Christensen Astronomy Editor Valeria Cappelli Rick Fienberg with the Public Journal Anne Rhodes Chiara Di Benedetto Andrew Fraknoi ESO ePOD Barbara Wankerl Richard de Grijs Karl-Schwarzschild-Strasse 2 Assistant Editors Janet Vertesi André Heck 85748 Garching bei München Sarah Reed Ryan Wyatt Terry Mahoney Germany Olivier Usher Steve Miller Secretarial Support Paul Murdin E-mail: Layout Britt Sjöberg Pedro Russo [email protected] Roberto Duque Sidney Wolff Web Design and Website: Production Development Published by www.capjournal.org Jutta Boxheimer Raquel Shida IAU DIVISION XII Commission Lars Holm Nielsen 55: Communicating Astronomy Phone: +49 89 320 06 195 Contributors with the Public Fax: +49 89 320 2362 Oana Sandu Distribution Martin Griffiths Julia Westner CAPjournal is licensed under a ISSNs Carlos Oliveira Mark Beat von Arb Creative Commons License 1996-5621 (Print) Kimberly Kowal Arcand 1996-563X (Web)

Contents

Editorial 3 Submit articles for one of the following journal sections: Explained in 60 Seconds: Pro-Am 4 Announcements

Taming the Watchdog 5 Reviews

News The Big Bang — A Hot Issue in Science Communication 7 Resources

Surveying Aesthetics & Astronomy 13 Innovations

Research & Applications The Sky is for Everyone: Outreach and Education with the Virtual Observatory 18 Letters to the Editor Opinion Celestial-themed Cartoons Captivate Children 22 Best Practices

Interviews A Journey Through the Universe at the Deutsches Museum 26

Tweeting Spacecraft 30 www.capjournal.org Online issues Free subscriptions Visualising Astronomy: “The Big Picture” 34 Article submission Job bank

Cover: Detailed view into the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment, one of two large particle physics detectors built at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN in Switzerland and France. The three concentric cylinders, each comprised of many silicon strip detectors (the bronze-coloured rectangular devices, similar to the CCDs used in digital cameras), surround the region where the protons collide. The experiment is looking for evidence of physics not described by the Standard Model, essential to understanding the Big Bang. More information: http://cms.web.cern.ch/ Credit: CMS/CERN Editorial

At the end of 2010, the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) Secretariat will finish its activities. It was back in 2007 that the International Astronomical Union (IAU) established the IYA2009 Secretariat at the European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) Headquarters in Garching, Germany. The Secretariat’s role was to act as a hub for IYA2009 activities. It coordinated projects from the planning stages through to evalua- tion, and was a central contact for the hundreds of national nodes, international organi- sations, global projects, the media and the general public.

The Secretariat was embedded in ESO’s education and Public Outreach Department (ePOD), which provided invaluable support and expertise for IYA2009. Its position within ePOD, with a ready-made editorial team already in place, was integral to the launch of the CAPjournal.

While the IYA2009 Secretariat closure marks the end of the largest initiative that the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has ever embarked upon, the organisation re- mains committed to promoting education and public outreach throughout the world. As part of the legacy of IYA2009, the IAU is supporting the continued production of CAPjournal. I will remain editor-in-chief, and Lars Lindberg Christensen will continue his vital role as executive editor.

On a personal note, in early 2011 I will be starting a new position at Leiden University in the Netherlands, where I will be the International Project Manager of the educational project Universe Awareness, an IYA2009 Cornerstone project. I have enjoyed my tenure as IYA2009 Coordinator and I have appreciated the opportunity to work with the talented team at ESO ePOD.

Speaking for the last time as IYA2009 Coordinator, I would like to thank you all for your hard work, support and dedication in making IYA2009 an astronomical success!

Happy reading,

Pedro Russo Editor-in-Chief and even the veracity of the findings. Maybe 2011 will shed some light on this controversial story. Credit: NASA Credit: story. controversial this on light 2011some shed Maybe will findings. ofthe veracity the even and story the publicised NASA way to the opposition their in vocal been have activists media new and journalists community, scientific the However components. cellular other and DNA ofits backbone the in phosphorus for arsenic substitutes Lake, Mono California’s in lives which microorganism, The arsenic. chemical toxic the using reproduce and to thrive able Earth on microorganism known first ofthe discovery the announced have researchers of2010: NASA-supported story media science controversial most the in role acentral has (USA) California central in area Research Lake Mono The Explained in 60 Seconds: in 60 Explained Pro-Am Pro-Am Case Study Written Communication Key Words followed up by professionals. For example, then are which supernovae, example, for and observations discoveriesimportant of, to make initiative own their on working amateurs involves project ofPro-Am type themselves. alternative An undertaking professional astronomers to even consider for time-consuming too are that amateurs by studies observational long-term the are projects ofPro-Am examples Good collaboration. aPro-Am to as referred is astronomers amateur and professional between ofcooperation kind This research. their with them help can amateurs how sional astronomers are now recognising profes —and further hobby their to take there are amateur astronomers who want But objects. celestial distant of seeing pleasure the for purely sky night the ing sion, amateur astronomers enjoy observ pas oftheir out acareer to make enough lucky are astronomers professional While - - - found on line: http://goo.gl/WzKL2 line: on found be can astronomy in projects laborative col (ESO). ofPro-Am Alist Reed Sarah and (EurAstro) Dighaye Jean-Luc from inputs valuable with Text crowd-sourced works. Universe the ofhow understanding our advancing to beneficial greatly are they to grow, as continue will projects Pro-Am of number the future, the in Hopefully, amateurs. of reach the within firmly objects celestial faint bring which cameras, CCD high-spec and telescopes more) or (8-inch large like equipment, ofcutting-edge days nowa affordability to the due partly is tions collabora Pro-Am in surge sudden The professional telescopes. Jupiter, on with their observations then pursued using impacts spot to first the were astronomers 2010, amateur and 2009 in

News Best Practices - - - Taming the Watchdog Opinion

Oana Sandu European Southern Observatory E-mail: [email protected]

Summary Key Words Talking to the media about a particular expertise or passion might seem easy, Media Relations but not knowing certain details of the media interaction process often prevents Pitching a Story science communicators from sharing their knowledge and expressing their Media Requests enthusiasm to journalists and, through them, to their final audience, the public. Here is some advice on how to make the most of talking to the press.

One of the oldest roles of the mass media Case 1: Make the watch- whether it has a science journalism depart- has been compared to that of a watchdog, dog your friend ment (and its size), the names of the journal- guarding the public space by deciding which ists covering science, deadlines, format and pieces of information are allowed through. In It is natural to think that media relations start style of written/broadcast materials. the process of communicating science to when a dialogue begins between the two the public, science communicators will often parties, communicators and journalists, and Most of this information is usually eas- resort to mass media channels as a way of that the most important aspect in media rela- ily accessible, but gathering it is a time- reaching out to a greater target audience. tions is what one party says and sells. How- consuming process. The first place to look Inevitably, this leads to contact with journal- ever, there is another step, before contact is is the website of the mass media channel, ists who will then decide if or how the story is even made, which is even of greater impor- where editing policies, the mission state- actually published. tance as it determines how the relationship ment, departments and the names of jour- kicks off — research! nalists working for the media channel are Communication between science com- all available. Sometimes media channels municators and journalists is challenging According to standard communication strat- will even upload presentations about their because a misstep anywhere in the process egies, the first step a communicator should targets onto their websites, that is, informa- can mean failure or success. So it is crucial take is to research the relevant media target, tion about their reach, distribution, audience for a communicator to develop media rela- as well as the organisation and the sector or traffic — all fascinating numbers for any tions skills that can help to get a story across. where it is active. The primary objective of communicator. For future topics or thematic this research is to get to know the mass numbers/editions/shows contact the editor- So how can the watchdog be tamed so that media channels and its journalists in as in-chief/producer and simply ask for this the communicator can cross the threshold much detail as the journalists are supposed information. In most cases, they will gladly into media territory and reach the interested to know their own target audience. share it with you. Make sure you also ask for audience at the other end? There is no spe- any deadlines that they might have for sub- cific recipe, but there are some basic steps Communicators should be familiar with the mitting press releases or pitching a story that that can help make the process not only less specifics of each targeted media channel is in line with the topic. difficult, but also more pleasant. in a depth that goes far beyond the obvi- ous issues — for example, be aware of the Communicators should also carry out There are two general cases when science difference between communications that research at the personal level. Journalists in communicators interact with the media: target written publications versus televi- your database should be more than just the proactive communication, when the com- sion, or radio versus online. Other important people you talk to when you have something municator pitches a story to journalists, and details are a media outlet’s editing policies, to communicate on behalf of your organi- reactive communication when journalists its planning of monthly topics for the current sation. They should be your professional request information from the communicator. year, favoured topics, its area of coverage, friends, or, even better, simply your friends.

• Taming the Watchdog • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 • Page 5 As in your personal life, you should get to Case 2: The watchdog possibilities, depending on the tone of the know their likes and dislikes, hobbies, fam- comes after you article and the accuracy of the information. ily and friends, professional background, An article can have positive, neutral or nega- where they spend their vacation etc. Sometimes a journalist who wants to write tive spin, and it can be entirely correct or a story featuring the organisation you rep- contain some wrong information. Ideally, this knowledge would come naturally resent will contact you. The first thing to do from contact with a journalist on a variety of in such situations is to read the questions, A positive or neutral article with correct infor- occasions, and not just when you are pitch- make sure you fully understand the request mation is obviously the preferred situation. If ing a story. However, for practical reasons and to answer instantly, not offering any this is the case, make sure you contact the you will not be able to make friends with direct answers, but simply acknowledging journalist on the same day of the release to each and every one of them. Make sure you the request. If there are questions that you congratulate him for the material and thank research for sufficient information that will are not sure that you fully understand, now is him for the collaboration. allow you to identify the best way and timing the time to ask for details. to contact a particular journalist, as well as If you find yourself in the less pleasant situa- the most interesting approach to take for a Before you are able to give any informa- tion, with a negatively nuanced article, read story that will make it appeal to the journal- tion addressing the story, research must through the arguments. If all the information ist. You can do this very easily today with the be done. Focus on the topic of the story. is correct and the negative take is simply the help of the social media that blur the bound- Identify the organisational information that opinion of the journalist, there is little to be aries between professional and personal might be useful and how much can be made done, and it is important not to let the jour- lives and allow you to access parts of the public, who are the most appropriate people nalist know how you feel, since he has the private life of a journalist. You could search to speak in the name of the organisation right to an opinion. Thank him for the article for a personal blog, for example. Take your or who could give you more information. and try to understand what is the cause of time and read through posts, identify inter- Always try to offer more than requested, but the negative opinion. Is it something you ests, likes and dislikes, opinions. do not include organisational facts that are need to improve inside the organisation or irrelevant to the topic. Depending on the is it simply a matter of personal belief that Once you have come to know your journalist, subject, you could suggest an interview, could be improved? The most you can do, if you are more likely to be able to present your indicate a scientific paper, or offer the pos- the situation allows it, is to try to improve his story from the right angle, engage them in sibility of a visit that could help the journalist opinion, for example, by inviting him to see the topic and take a more friendly approach. gather more information. Finally, research how observations are done or how data is With the right background information you what has been written on the topic and handled if he hasn’t yet had that opportunity, can make your story more scientific, or give make sure you can bring added value to the and hope that this might impress him. it a more human touch as appropriate. As a table, whether it is new data in the field, other result, journalists will be more open to listen opinions and perspectives, predicted future Finally, if the article is positive or neutral, but it to you and, often, they will brainstorm with developments etc. contains some incorrect information, contact you on how the story could be given an even the journalist, thank him for the collaboration more interesting spin. Make sure you always Also, do some background research on the and point out any mistakes, asking if they try to offer at least one of the following journalist. If you have not interacted with her can still be corrected. In most cases, journal- extras, if not all: valuable information, inter- before, the process described earlier should ists will appreciate a friendly indication of a esting insights and spectacular imagery that be followed, although not necessarily in so mistake as delivering correct information is makes your story, and ultimately their article, much depth, as time will likely not allow it. important for their reputation and the repu- appealing and unique. If you have done your homework and your tation of the mass media channel they are database is up to date, it should contain working for. Lastly, do not forget to keep in After you have provided all the information detailed information about the journalist, and touch and update your database with all the for the story, it is advisable not just to wait you will have an easier job in interacting with useful information that you have found about and see what happens. Try to get an impres- her, saving time that can be used for investi- the journalist from this collaboration and sion of the final look or draft of the material gating the topic itself. which can be used on future occasions. before it is published. This will not always be possible, due either to editorial policies Once the research is done, you can prepare or simply to the journalist’s own working the answers. There is no question that can- practices. Asking to see a story prior to pub- not be addressed — even though you may lication is a sensitive issue and if you do not have to say “no comment”. Be as thorough Biography know the journalist that well, or fear that you as possible and never assume that some- might upset or offend him, it is better to trust thing is known or obvious. Attach docu- him and wait for the release of the story. As ments for further information if they are avail- Oana is a communicator with a passion for in any type of relationship, trust is built with able. Finally, make sure you reply within the astronomy, as much as she is an amateur time and sometimes by taking some risks. journalist’s deadline. If you have set up an astronomer with a passion for communica- tion. With a degree in Communication and interview, do a short media training session Public Relations and a Masters Degree in Mark the day of release in your calendar and with the person to be interviewed and be Marketing, Oana is working as commu- check the article as early in the day as pos- present at the meeting. If you have arranged nity coordinator for ESO’s education and sible. Read it carefully and if there are any a visit, plan ahead and make sure that eve- Public Outreach Department. She heads the public relations work for the Space factual errors in the material, point them out rything is in place as journalists have sharp Generation Advisory Council, as well as to the journalist in a friendly manner and they eyes and will spot the tiniest inconsistency. for other international organisations and will normally be willing to correct them. Do projects. Previously she worked for one not forget to thank the journalist for the col- On the due date of publication, read the arti- of the leading PR agencies in Romania and Eastern Europe. To get in touch with laboration and continue to keep in touch with cle as soon as it comes out so as to be able Oana visit her blog www.astronomycom- him. Don’t comment on anything other than to react instantly, regardless of the situation: munication.wordpress.com or connect on factual errors as journalists have to have total either to send congratulations or to deal with Twitter (www.twitter.com/oana.sandu). freedom in how they present a story. issues arising. At this point, there are several

• Taming the Watchdog • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 • Page 6 The Big Bang —

A Hot Issue in Science Communication Opinion

Martin Griffiths University of Glamorgan, Wales, UK E-mail: [email protected]

Carlos Oliveira University of Texas, Austin, USA E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract Key Words The Big Bang theory is one of the cornerstones of modern cosmology, drawing Communication on a wealth of observational, experimental and theoretical data to underpin one Cosmology of the most successful theories science has constructed. Why then is it under Big Bang attack in the public domain? This paper will examine the theory and look at the Public Understanding of Science perceived public problems that arise when it is communicated by following the dominant model of communicating science. This paper then examines whether, in the public perception, replacing a more traditional faith-based worldview by the Big Bang theory results in a loss of purpose, philosophy and the replacement of ideals is responsible for the negative portrayals.

Introduction have to account for the origin and evolu- are necessary to make sense of this the- tion of the Universe. ory, or is this misperception one that is due The hot Big Bang theory has been to confusing and contradictory statements extremely successful in correlating the However, the public understanding of this issued by the press and scientists alike? observable properties of our Universe with theory appears to be a somewhat hit-and- This article will examine these issues. the known underlying physical laws. How- miss affair, a situation that is exacerbated ever, there are some difficulties associated not only by the public, but also by journal- with the Big Bang theory. These difficulties ists and scientists. Most of the issues sur- The Big Bang as a are not so much errors as mathematical rounding the Big Bang can only be under- scientific theory assumptions that are necessary to make stood and resolved with some training in some progress, but that do not have, as the field. To the outside observer it would The Big Bang was named by its strongest yet, a fundamental justification. Neverthe- appear that the discipline is riven with dis- critic, Sir Fred Hoyle, during an interview less, the Big Bang, taken as a whole, is sent. Is this just a case of the public misun- for the programme, The Nature of Things, the most complete and evidence-based derstanding the issues and failing to grasp broadcast on BBC Radio in March 1949. explanation that astronomers currently the connections between disciplines that As used by cosmologists, the term “Big

• The Big Bang — A Hot Issue in Science Communication • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 • Page 7 Figure 1. The Cosmic Microwave Background temperature fluctuations from the seven-year Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe data seen over the full sky. Credit: NASA / WMAP Science Team

Bang” generally refers to the idea that the Finally, any gaps in our understanding Bang need not be difficult. For instance, Universe has expanded from a primordial of a scientific theory do not always bring take Bill Bryson on cosmic background hot and dense initial condition at some the overall theory into question — just radiation: finite time in the past, and continues to because we don’t fully understand gravity, expand to this day. It is a cosmological it doesn’t mean that we can’t predict what Tune your television to any channel it model describing the initial conditions and will happen when we jump from the top of doesn’t receive, and about one percent of subsequent development of our Universe, a building. “Science is a work in progress; the dancing static you see is accounted and is supported by comprehensive and it is an ongoing human endeavour. It will for by this ancient remnant of the Big accurate explanations based on cur- never be fully complete, otherwise curios- Bang. The next time you complain that rent scientific evidence and observation, ity, and thus part of what it is to be human, there is nothing on, remember that you engaging such fields as astronomy, cos- would die. The communication of science can always watch the birth of the Universe. mology, chemistry and quantum physics. needs to emphasise this point.” (Oliveira, (Bryson, 2004) 2008) From the above, we can already pinpoint Science communication of this type is a few misconceptions. First of all, contrary excellent: pithy, entertaining and pointed. to popular belief, a scientific theory is not Communicating the Big Bang Bryson is not a scientist, so his message limited to one area of science; the Big had to be understood first by him, and then Bang theory is grounded in several sci- Any science communication exercise has re-written for a public audience. Whilst entific disciplines. In addition, a scientific to recognise the cultural, educational and most journalists follow this approach, they theory continues to be tested repeatedly social setting of its audience and adjust do sometimes fall short — as we shall see and the results create a body of evidence to this. Communicators often make an later. Occasionally of course, it is difficult supporting the theory. Furthermore, part of assumption that their audience will be rea- to communicate an idea correctly and the problem with scientific understanding sonably well-educated and aware of some scientific simplifications may become is science education (formal and informal) of the fundamental science that will be oversimplifications and lead to public mis- itself. It usually presents “the facts”, as if touched on within the context of the work. conceptions, such as the “Solar System” everything were already known. Science These assumptions illustrate the problem model of the atom for example. is taught as if it were something complete, of making an effective interdisciplinary a finished endeavour, but science can communication. A general audience will be Sadly, even the most well-known science never be complete as it is constantly being made up of people with different agendas, writers can fall into the negativity trap and modified and extended by new observa- training, interests and professions. They cloud the waters of understanding. Take tions or measurements, which in turn lead will, according to Scanlon et al. (1999), the following quotes from Terence Dickin- to new insights and predictions; and it is probably reflect C. P. Snow’s definition of son, recipient of the Royal Canadian Insti- this very flexibility that makes the “scien- the “two cultures” with the emphasis on tute’s Sandford Fleming Medal for Public tific method” so successful in explaining the humanities rather than on the sciences. Communication of Science: the world. It does not hold dogmatically Inevitably something is going to be lost in to outdated or incorrect information or translation, and few readers or listeners • The Big Bang theory is the best expla- paradigms as if the “truth” had been found will be able to follow all the arguments or nation we have for the origin and evolu- once and for all, an approach that sepa- points covered. tion of the Universe. It may be wrong. rates it from religion. It may even seem childishly naïve a These are valid points, but communicating century from now..... the wonder of our understanding of the Big

• The Big Bang — A Hot Issue in Science Communication • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 • Page 8 • The Big Bang — A Hot Issue in Science Communication • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 • Page 9

• One concept favoured by researchers 3. Element abundance predictions using Is the Big Bang a truly scientific theory? Has in this field offers the fanciful hypoth- the Big Bang require too many adjust- “science” proven the age of the Universe? esis that our Universe was created able parameters to make them work. We will explore the Big Bang and see why from nothing. Even more outlandish many scientists are abandoning the theory. is the corollary: our Universe may be 4. The Universe has too much large-scale We will see why the Big Bang doesn’t fit the one of countless universes that have structure (interspersed ”walls” and Bible or science. (Lisle, 2009) materialised out of pure nothingness. voids) to form on a timescale as short (Dickinson 1993) as 10-20 billion years. This follows a typical straw-man argu- ment used by creationists; further, they These quotes may seem negative and 5. The average luminosity of quasars neither name the scientists who “doubt” confusing and, although Dickinson then must decrease with time in just the right the Big Bang nor specify the institutions to goes on to attempt an explanation of the way so that their mean apparent bright- which they belong, although a little further underlying theory, he starts two chapters ness is the same at all redshifts, which research reveals that these “scientists” on the intricacies of the Big Bang in this is exceedingly unlikely. all have PhD’s from, or hold posts at, the fashion. This form of communication may Creationist Research Institute. And their lead to confusion, as the general reader 6. The ages of globular clusters appear evidence for refuting the Big Bang? After may get bogged down in the later expla- older than the Universe. discussing various points that have been nations and so that the only part of the laid to rest by scientists many years ago: discussion that registers are these rather 7. The local streaming motions of galax- florid descriptions of a well-developed ies are too high for a finite Universe that • Ultimately, the best reason to reject the theory that is being questioned rather than is supposed to be everywhere uniform. Big Bang is that it goes against what explained! Here Dickinson is attempting the Creator of the Universe Himself an expression of scientific honesty about 8. Invisible dark matter of an unknown but has taught: “In the beginning, God the nature and methods of theoretical sci- non-baryonic nature must be the domi- created the heaven and the Earth.” ence as it pertains to the Big Bang — he is nant ingredient of the entire Universe. (Genesis 1:1; from Lisle, 2009) portraying a “best-fit theory” model in his communication. However, such honesty 9. The most distant galaxies in the Hubble This sowing of doubt and uncertainty can result in legions of doubters, some of Deep Field show insufficient evidence affects the public debate as it gives the whom then go on to portray the Big Bang of evolution, with some of them appar- false impression that the Big Bang is theory as problematical, institutionalised ently having higher redshifts (z = 6-7) questionable as an explanation of the Uni- and ignorant of factors or alternatives, than the faintest quasars. verse’s origins. Whilst any scientific theory leading to public confusion, with a result- can certainly be questioned, the methods ant focus on pseudo-scientific explana- 10. If the open Universe we see today is used should be consistent with scientific tions that are presented as fact. extrapolated back to near the begin- methodology. Creationists lack the requi- ning, the ratio of the actual density of site scientific detachment. Such negative This problem can be further illustrated matter in the Universe to the critical portrayals are having an effect, as faith by the writings of astronomer Tom van density must differ from unity by just schools and evangelical movements gain Flandern. Van Flandern is notorious for a part in 1059. Any larger deviation public acceptance and follow a largely his unorthodox views (human face on would result in a Universe already col- American ecumenical lead. Again, this is Mars, the asteroid belt as an exploded lapsed on itself or already dissipated. not to say that the Big Bang is inviolate; planet) and has written several books on (Van Flandern, 1997) the Big Bang is open to investigation, and such themes, in addition to forming the is falsifiable according to Popper’s defi- Natural Philosophy Alliance and the Meta It is not our intention to answer these nitions, but it must be pointed out to the Research Bulletin to propound his unsci- points here — and they all have scientific public that the theory is not under threat entific viewpoints. With the rise of alter- counter-arguments; rather we quote this within science; some of the interpretations native explanations, be they religious or in full to illuminate the point that the Big of data are argued over, but the Big Bang pseudo-scientific, what Gregory and Miller Bang theory is in the public domain as a as a theory is as solidly founded as Dar- (1998) would later call the “anti-science” point of argument. It is also an argument winian evolution. Furthermore, it’s interest- alliance arose as a form of public com- that appears to be dressed in scientific ing that both theories deal with evolution: munication that supplied positive answers clothing, thus compounding the public’s the evolution of life, in Darwin’s case, and to the doubts of an interested public. In problems of perception and choice, mud- the evolution of the Universe, in the case of this vein, Van Flandern’s views on the dying the waters of public acceptance and the Big Bang. Big Bang theory have been received by a understanding. wider audience. In public broadcasts and Evolution seems to be an anti-religious in the pages of the Meta Research Bulletin, These arguments are increasingly being concept. Perhaps this is why the two are Van Flandern gives a short list of the lead- taken up by the pseudo-scientific and reli- lumped together by the anti-science lobby ing problems faced by the Big Bang in its gious communities, who not only misun- and that this link is reflected in science struggle for viability as a theory: derstand, but misrepresent the Big Bang reporting in some broadsheets: theory, and become points of debate in 1. Static Universe models fit the data bet- an intellectual miasma labelled by Helge • Poll reveals public doubts over Charles ter than expanding Universe models. Kragh (1999) as “extra-scientific arguments Darwin’s theory of evolution and the with no role in cosmology”. They may have Big Bang. Belief in creationism is wide- 2. The microwave background makes no role in cosmology, but they are certainly spread in Britain, according to a new more sense as the limiting temperature influential in the public domain. This can survey. (The Telegraph, 6 February of space heated by starlight than as the be seen by the religious criticism of some 2009) remnant of a fireball. of the Big Bang’s predictions in countries where Christian fundamentalist views prevail. • Science can’t explain the Big Bang view of the “dominant” model of science nant” model, does not actively construct — there is still scope for a creator. communication (Hilgartner, 1990) sees meaning for the participant as they are We should not dismiss the concept of science as watered down for public con- given little opportunity to cogitate on the intelligent-design lessons in school. sumption and losing some of the flavour message and arrange it within their inter- (Crowley, 2009) and nuances of the rigorous science along nal worldview. For public understanding the way. Hilgartner claims that the differ- of science to be a force for change, it has What can be done to redress this public ences between genuine and popularised to be meaningful to the public and make a balance? Is it necessary to redress it at science must be caused by the distortion positive alteration to their views within the all? Will the public see to the heart of the or degradation of original truths, a pollu- context of their own philosophies, politics, matter and maintain a trust in science that tion of science by journalists and a public social grouping and outlook. will enable the controversy surrounding the that misunderstands much of what it reads. Big Bang and its public perception to die There is some evidence in the foregoing Science therefore must have ideological a natural death? As a number of communi- and in popular science books about the significance. Science doesn’t take away cators have maintained: Big Bang to justify this view. the spiritual experience; philosophically it provides a more humbling experience, • The debate over the Big Bang theory This model was recently aired and criti- when we take into consideration how small vs. the story of Creation taken literally cised at high levels. In February 2000, we are in this immense Universe (Griffiths is a debate that cannot continue and the House of Lords Select Committee & Oliveira, 2010). be engaged unless society demands on Science and Technology reported: that a single standard of evidence be “society’s relationship with science is in a It can be argued that science does have applied. (Odenwald, 1996) critical phase” (Hansard, 2000). The report a life-changing and ideologically altering showed that public interest in science was perspective, but then the question can be How and when this standard — the stand- high, yet there was a basic lack of trust in posed, especially in regard to our example ard of science – will be acceptable to all science. The problem was not the amount of the Big Bang — why has science com- is open to question; indeed it may never or quality of the science available for pub- munication failed? The failure of this domi- become acceptable to all, which leaves lic consumption, but how it was communi- nant model is illuminated by Simon Locke the scientist and communicator with an cated. The committee concluded that: who states that: ongoing problem that merely continues the public debate: • There is a condescending assump- • Citizenship through science comes at tion that any difficulties in the relation- the price of expressing knowledge in • It is the business of science to offer ship between science and society are ways acceptable to professional scien- rational explanations for all the events entirely due to ignorance and misunder- tists — it is our way or not at all. Hence in the real world, and any scientist who standing on the part of the public: and the presence of competing knowledge calls on God to explain something is that with enough public understanding claims are rejected as simply ‘anti- falling down on his job. If the explana- activities, the public can be brought to science’. (Locke, 2002) tion is not forthcoming at once, the sci- greater knowledge, whereupon all will entist must suspend judgment: but if he be well. (Hansard, 2000) The public are not trained scientists and is worth his salt he will always maintain are open to competing claims of knowl- that a rational explanation will eventu- It is this assumption of education, science edge, as seen by the examples of Tom van ally be found. This is the one piece of activities and public involvement leading Flandern and Answers in Genesis above. dogmatism that a scientist can allow to a more science-oriented society that What the Meta Research Bulletin and himself — and without it science would is at fault. It is obvious from the forego- creationist sources do well is to transmit be in danger of giving way to supersti- ing examples from our Big Bang case certainties about the scientific alterna- tion every time that a problem defied that society is not always attracted to, or tives which are more ideologically suited solution for a few years. (Bonnor, 1964) even trusts, the answers science gives to a public audience than the necessary them. There is no doubt that the public uncertainties of the world of science. The It is precisely because science does not do have more access to information, and “meaning” in such transmissions already have all the answers that the Big Bang thus can be better informed and more fits with a worldview that is part of the audi- becomes a bone of communications con- educated than ever before. There is no ence’s culture and society in a way that the tention from the viewpoints of creationists, doubt that publications relating to popular “counterintuitive unnatural nature of sci- scientists and sceptics alike. From a com- science are at an all time high and the pro- ence” (Wolpert, 1992) does not. munications viewpoint, the solid accept- liferation of Discovery-type TV channels ance of the Big Bang model is unlikely to and the plethora of podcasts and radio How then can the communication of sci- be a definitively resolved question in the programmes dedicated to science com- ence answer, or, at least, successfully near future. The Big Bang theory is a point munication are a testament to the literacy compete with alternative ideas from such of open debate and an excellent example of the public. What is needed is not more philosophies, pseudo-science or religion? of the ongoing nature of science commu- public understanding activities, but more Broks (2006) outlines four main points nication in our modern society. How can acceptance within society of one standard that science communicators can and science communicators face the difficul- (Odenwald, 1996). have utilised. He claims that popular sci- ties of alternative contrasting ideologies? ence generates different meanings; these However, this is unlikely to be put into prac- meanings are linked to social and political tice within society as much of the message struggles; in these struggles, popular sci- What now for communication? from science lacks what Peter Broks (2006) ence is a form of mediation between public calls “meaning in communication”. Public and experts; finally that those concerned Perhaps recognising that the public com- understanding of science is mainly a pas- with the popular understanding of science munication of science is a field that is sive activity, with the reader/listener receiv- should be concerned with meaning and contentious and little understood would be ing a “transmission” from the scientist to not message. a starting point for communicators. One the public. This transmissive, or “domi-

• The Big Bang — a Hot Issue in Science Communication • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 • Page 10 • The Big Bang — a Hot Issue in Science Communication • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 • Page 11

The Big Bang theory strikes at the heart of ence communication can adequately meet • Lisle J. 2010 Answers in Genesis Online, human philosophical and cultural mean- these challenges within the framework of http://www.answersingenesis.org, Octo- ing, uprooting a secure humanity from Broks’ ideology of meaning and cultural ber 2010 a known place in the Universe to one of inclusion, it will achieve much. unimaginable smallness, adrift in the • Locke S. 2002, The Public Understand- unfathomable sea of space. This is the This will be a slow process that will have ing of Science — a Rhetorical Invention, core of its contentious state for those who its share of losses and triumphs along Science Technology and Human Values, seek a more comforting and meaning- the way, but is an ideological war that 27 & 92 ful alternative. It is also a reflection of the is worth the fight. The price of failure is place of science and its communication in a return to a dark age that may become • Odenwald S. 2009, Ask the Astronomer our society — where does science fit in our all the longer and more protracted if the Astronomy Café, http://www.astronomy- culture? It is up to scientists to ensure that superstitious and anti-science alterna- cafe.net, October 2010 we replace one set of meaningful values tives gain the upper hand. As Carl Sagan with one of equal meaning that is deeply (1997) once emphasised, “it is far better • Oliveira, C. F. 2008, Astrobiology for the rooted in a new culture that addresses an to grasp the Universe as it really is than to 21st Century, Commun. Astron. With understanding of our place in the cosmos. persist in delusion, however satisfying and Public Journal, 2, 24 If science communication in respect of the reassuring”. Big Bang is at point three of Broks’ claims • Sagan C. 1997, The Demon haunted above, then surely point four will naturally World: Science as a Candle in the Dark follow on? References (New York: Headline Publishing)

This is not to say that any science com- • Bonnor W. B. 1954, The Mystery of • Scanlon E., Hill R. & Junker K. 1999, munication is going to be perfect. Scien- the Expanding Universe (London: Communicating Science (London: Rout- tists understand the limitations of models Routledge) ledge), 203 in ways in which the public do not. Sim- ply denying the theory merely because it • Broks P. 2006, Understanding Popular • Van Flandern T. 1997, Meta Research cannot answer every question or seems Science (Milton Keynes: Open University Bulletin, 6, 4, 5 December 1997 impinge on the power of a creator does Press), 121, 126, 142 not mean that the theory is incorrect. Ulti- • Van Flandern T. 2002, Meta Research mately, the Big Bang model is about the • Bryson B. 2004, A Short History of Nearly Bulletin, 11, 1, 15 March 2002 origin and evolution of the Universe from Everything (Chicago: Black Swan), 57 the Planck time onward (10–43 seconds) • Wolpert L. 1992, The Unnatural Nature of and can say little about events prior to • Collier J. 1997, Scientific and Technical Science (London: Faber & Faber), 4 this. In a broad way then the theory is not Communication: Theory, Practice and “anti-creationist” and does not negate Policy (Los Angeles: Sage Publications) a spiritual comprehension. It does not remove “meaning” at all; in fact, a greater • Crowley T. 2009, Science can’t explain understanding of the event leads to a more the Big Bang — there is still scope for profound respect for the many facets of a creator, The Guardian Newspaper, 6 our Universe both physical and spiritual. January 2009, 21

• Dickinson T. 1993, From the Big Bang to Conclusion Planet X. The 50 most asked questions about the Universe — and their answers, The battleground of public understand- (London: Camden House Publishing) ing of science is then the open house of a democratic culture. It has taken cen- • Gregory J. & Miller S. 1998, Science in turies of cultural, social, economic and Public: Communication, Culture and political struggle to build and is a con- Credibility (New York: Basic Books), 53 tinual work in progress. All that scientists can do is to continue to build bridges • Griffiths M. & Oliveira C. 2010, Science between experts and the public in such and spirituality: the gospel according to a way that these democratic and scien- Sagan, http://www.lablit.com/article/570, tific ideologies become encapsulated in October 2010 society. This should not be done within Hilgartner’s “dominant” paradigm, but • Hilgartner S. 1990, The Dominant View Biographies should be an inclusive, open-minded and of Popularization, Social Studies of Sci- honest appraisal of the state of science ence, 20, 519 and its uses within politics and society. Martin Griffiths is a Senior Lecturer at Science does not stand outside human • Hansard 2000, Select Committee on the Division of Earth & Space Sciences at the University of Glamorgan who society; it is an integral part of it.Science Science and Technology Report Minutes helps raise awareness of astronomy via therefore should recognise the changes (London: HMSO), 18 & 39 books, magazines, radio and television. in philosophies and ideologies that it has wrought and should address the idea that • Kragh H. 1996, Cosmology & Contro- Carlos F. Oliveira is a PhD student in Science Education, with an emphasis in as- science removes “meaning” from life, from versy (Princeton: Princeton University tronomy, at the University of Texas at Austin, philosophies and from cultural institu- Press), 392 USA, where he designed and periodically tions. Science not only answers “how and teaches a unique astrobiology course. when”, but also supplies the “why”. If sci-

Surveying Aesthetics & Astronomy: A Project Exploring the Public’s Perception of Research & & Research Astronomical Images and the Science Within Applications

Kimberly Kowal Arcand Lisa F. Smith Chandra X-ray Center, Smithsonian University of Otago Astrophysical Observatory [email protected] [email protected]

Megan Watzke Jeffrey K. Smith Chandra X-ray Center/SAO University of Otago [email protected] [email protected]

Summary Key Words Every year hundreds of astronomical images are released to the general public Astronomy from the many telescopes both on the ground and in space that observe the Visualisation Universe. These images cover both data gathered at visible wavelengths Outreach and other phenomena at wavelengths that cannot be detected by the human Best Practices eye, so that the entire electromagnetic spectrum is represented. The release Aesthetics of astronomical images raises major questions about the dissemination and communication of that knowledge, including: how do non-experts (i.e., the public) perceive these images? In 2008, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory began a unique research study — dubbed the Aesthetics & Astronomy (A&A) project — to examine the perception of multi-wavelength astronomical imagery and the effects of the various scientific and artistic choices in processing astronomical data. This article provides a brief synopsis of the results of the initial A&A study and its possible implications for astronomy outreach professionals. This article concludes with an overview of the latest study (in progress, 2010).

Introduction Aesthetics — from a psychological per- narrow range of wavelengths that humans spective — is the study of all things beauti- can detect with their eyes, but also with Aesthetics is the study of how human ful, whether art or not, and all things art, radio, infrared, X-ray electromagnetic beings react in a sensory and emotional whether beautiful or not. radiation and more. From small telescopes fashion to the things we encounter in wielded by amateurs to multi-billion dollar life, especially as being appealing or not Astronomy is one of the most visual of observatories controlled by professionals, appealing. (Smith & Smith, 2010) the sciences. Modern astronomy images astronomy has the capacity to lure us in by capture the Universe not only with the the sheer aesthetics of its data.

• Surveying Aesthetics & Astronomy • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 • Page 13 Figure 1. Beautiful art or not? Left: Untitled, serigraph on paper by Gene Davis, 1974. Credit: Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Florence Coulson Da- vis; Right: Multi-wavelength NGC4696 in X-ray, Radio and Infrared, Credit: X-ray: NASA/CXC/KIPAC/S. Allen et al; Radio: NRAO/VLA/G. Taylor; Infrared: NASA/ESA/ McMaster Univ./W. Harris (used in 2008 online survey).

Every year, hundreds of astronomical • How much do variations in terms of increased solely based on their ability to images are released to the public by tel- presentation of colour, explanation access the information in the accompany- escopes of all kinds both on the ground and scale affect comprehension of ing caption. and in space. This represents a consider- astronomical images? able investment — in both human and Some additional outcomes include: monetary terms — by the astronomical • What are the differences between vari- community. A small cottage industry, so to ous populations (experts, novices, stu- • Providing a context for the image is speak, straddling the worlds of astronomy dents) in terms of what they learn from critical to comprehension, particularly and science communication has grown to the images? for novices. produce and disseminate these images. Today, more than ever, these images are • What misconceptions do the non- • Experts prefer text that is shorter and shared via traditional media (like news- experts have about astronomy and the to the point; novices prefer a more nar- papers, magazines, books, prints, etc.), images they are exposed to? rative expository style for the text that planetariums and science museums, but accompanies images. also through websites, Twitter and the blogosphere, directly with the public. Highlights from the • Providing a sense of scale to go with 2008 study objects is helpful for comprehension at But the question is: how good are we at all levels of expertise. what we are intending to do? It was a pleasant surprise, when over 8000 usable responses were collected • Experts and novices view space To our knowledge, there has never been in just over a week in the online survey. images very differently. Novices begin a rigorous academic study to answer how The full results from the project were with more of a sense of awe and won- well our choices in our image pipelines — accepted by the SAGE Journal of Science der, and focus first more on the aes- from processing to dissemination — do in Communication in August 2010 (see Smith thetic qualities of the image. Experts reaching the widest possible audience. We at al., 2010, for more detail on the meth- wonder how the image was produced, conceived the A&A to begin to tackle this odology, data limitations, descriptive sta- what information is being presented in void. The original A&A study was designed tistics of the study and a full reference list). the image, and what the creators of the to probe how effective these choices (or image wanted to convey. compromises) are when it comes to sci- The online participants ranked themselves ence versus aesthetics in astronomical along a scale from “novice” to “expert”. • Experts are much more likely to see images. There were some predictable differences blue as hot than are novices; about among the groups. For example, the nov- 80% of novices see red as hot com- The A&A team consists of a unique com- ices indicated that variations in terms of pared to 60% of experts. bination of professional astronomy com- presentation of colour, explanation and municators, astrophysicists and aesthetics scale affected their comprehension of the experts from the discipline of psychology. imagery. Those who identified themselves Putting the preliminary In late 2008, the A&A team conducted both as expert, on the other hand, wanted results into practice online studies (see Figure 2) and a series shorter, more technical explanations (with of in-person focus groups. The research scale information). Other less obvious Since this A&A group is led by members questions were designed to test: results also emerged, including that the of the Chandra X-ray Observatory’s Edu- novices said that their aesthetic enjoyment cation and Public Outreach (EPO) group

• Surveying Aesthetics & Astronomy • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 • Page 14 • Surveying Aesthetics & Astronomy • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 • Page 15 we could implement the study’s results through our comment and rating sections of the improved features on the public’s almost immediately. As two of us (Arcand has been overwhelmingly positive. Our understanding. & Watzke) are responsible for a major next step is to implement a questionnaire observatory’s public website and other on the Chandra website to ask users Other recommendations from the original outreach materials, the A&A outcomes specifically how these new features affect A&A findings showed that it is useful (and could go quickly from preliminary aca- their enjoyment and comprehension of an not overwhelming for the reader) to pro- demic research to field-tested practices image and the science behind it. vide colour code keys and physical scales on a website that receives 250–300 thou- in images intended for the public. Another sand visits per month. We have also built an interactive, question- useful finding has been that many novices based text script into the Chandra photo want to understand how the experts — the What changes did we make? First, we pages with click-tracking methods to astrophysicists — view the images. This added bulleted text for each new image, count the user clicks per question and per type of information could be provided with interactive labelling and put “Wikipedia- image, and to compare totals. We have images in the future by having a “rollover” style” links in the body of the text. Each of also created a similar implementation for on the image that annotates, “Here is these changes came out of the feedback a series of print products that includes what astronomers see…”, or by including we received during the online survey and posters featuring multi-wavelength astro- video or audio commentary from astrono- focus groups. nomical images (see Figure 3). Here, we mers, available as supplementary digital use the tried and true series of questions: material. The next, more involved implementation of who, what, when, where, why and how to the A&A results was to develop an interac- engage the viewer in an approachable tive multi-wavelength image feature that manner. The text addresses some of the Current & future plans allows the user to move from one energy questions that were commonly asked dur- band to another, and ultimately “build” the ing the focus groups, including how the We are currently conducting a series of composite themselves. A sample of this images were made, the historical impor- studies, funded in part by a grant from the can be found online . tance of the object, the location in the Smithsonian Institution, that ask ­viewers night sky, etc. Data collection and a brief to evaluate astronomical images with The feedback on these relatively simple summative evaluation of these six posters their corresponding descriptions across changes to the website from the public are being conducted to analyse the impact different media platforms: web, mobile,

Figure 2. A sample page from the online survey at http://astroart.cfa.harvard.edu/ showing M51. Credit: NASA/Chandra/Hubble/Spitzer/GALEX Figure 3. Sample of poster created using who, what, when, where, why and how questions (left) and a close-up of colour coding and supporting informational graphics from that poster (right). traditional print and large format print. The lic? There are many lines of research we Links images being used include some from the can follow and many unknowns to explore. Chandra X-ray Observatory, Hubble Space We invite anyone who is interested in these 1 http://chandra.si.edu/photo/2009/galactic/ 2 Telescope, Spitzer Space Telescope, Solar issues to contact us. http://astroart.cfa.harvard.edu/ 3 http://chandra.si.edu/mobile/aa.html Dynamics Observatory and others. Work- ing with museum professionals and sci- ence centre partners we have produced Acknowledgements a travelling exhibit of the material. Touring through six locations in 2010, this exhibit The 2008 study was developed with allows participants to access the astro- funding from the Hinode X-ray Tel- nomical imagery and text through tradi- escope, performed under NASA contract tionally sized and large-scale prints. The NNM07AB07C, and the Education and schedule of locations is available online. Outreach group for NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, operated by SAO under An online study of the same material tests NASA Contract NAS8-03060. Additional the user’s perceptions on mobile devices A&A team members include Randall K. in comparison with traditional online plat- Smith and Jay Bookbinder of SAO as well forms. We will also be employing in-person as Kelly Keach of University of Otago. Spe- focus groups this autumn to explore the cial thanks to Jerry Bonnell and Robert J. aesthetics-context correlation further, Nemiroff, the authors of the NASA Astron- across all four of the platforms. Questions omy Picture of the Day website. Findings on the interpretation of scientific principles from this research were published in (perception of temperature, for example), Science Communication in August 2010 aesthetic appeal, and the interpretation and were presented at the 2009 and 2010 of unfamiliar (meaning non-terrestrial) Annual Meetings of the American Psycho- objects are being included in all forms of logical Association (Smith et al., 2009, the study. 2010), the XXI Congress of the Interna- tional Association of Empirical Aesthetics (Smith et al, 2010), in a public inaugural Conclusion professorial lecture at the University of Otago (Smith, 2009), at an astronomy Biographies We believe that we, the professional astro- visualisation symposium at the California nomical community, are operating in an Academy of Sciences (Arcand, 2009) and unusual age. At the moment, we are the at the Astronomical Society of the Pacific Kimberly Arcand is the visualisa- tion & media production coordinator beneficiaries of a multitude of fantastic tel- conference (Arcand & Watzke, 2009). for NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observa- escopes and observatories. It is our goal tory. She is PI and project lead in the to communicate these exciting discoveries Aesthetics & Astronomy group. to the public, and, quite often, the images References Megan Watzke is the press officer for are our greatest asset in doing this. At the NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory. same time, however, there is much discus- • Smith, L. F. & Smith, J. K. 2010, Both she and Kim Arcand are based sion about “false colour” and what is “real” Aesthetics, in Corsini’s Encyclopedia at the Chandra X-ray Center at the in this age of Photoshop and other digital of Psychology (4th Ed.), P. Rossi (ed.), Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astro- physics in Cambridge, Mass., USA. manipulation. With so much data and so (Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons), 42 many tools at our disposal, not to mention Lisa and Jeffrey Smith are Professors the potential wide reach of the internet, are • Smith et al. 2010, Aesthetics and Astron- of Education at the University of Otago we employing all of the possible best prac- omy: Studying the Public’s Perception College of Education (New Zealand). They study the psychology of aesthetics tices? Can studies such as A&A uncover and Understanding of Imagery From and co-edit the APA journal, Psychology ways to help dispel some of the misinfor- Space: http://scx.sagepub.com/content/ of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts. mation that exists about the veracity and early/2010/07/01/1075547010379579. legitimacy of what we distribute to the pub- abstract (retrieved on 6 December 2010)

• Surveying Aesthetics & Astronomy • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 • Page 16 The IAU decade-long plan for the global development of astronomy is available for download here: http://iau.org/static/educa- tion/strategicplan_091001.pdf” The Sky is for Everyone — Outreach and

Education with the Virtual Observatory Resources

Florian Freistetter Massimo Ramella Astronomisches Recheninstitut, INAF–Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste Universität Heidelberg E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] And the AIDA-WP5 Team Giulia Iafrate INAF-Observatorio Astronomico di Trieste E-mail: [email protected]

Summary Key Words The Virtual Observatory (VO) is an international project to collect astronomical Virtual Observatory data (images, spectra, simulations, mission-logs, etc.), organise them and Education develop tools that let astronomers access this huge amount of information. Data Mining The VO not only simplifies the work of professional astronomers, it is also a Databases valuable tool for education and public outreach. For teachers and astronomers who actively promote astronomy to the public, the VO is a great opportunity to access and use real astronomical data, and have a taste of the daily life of astronomers.

Introduction developed within the (European) Virtual In the following we briefly describe the Observatory project. The aim of AIDA- Virtual Observatory and, in particular the Astronomy is a very attractive science for WP5 is to give access to VO data using EuroVO–AIDA project; we then describe in teachers, students and the public, allowing professional-level software tools that have detail the tools and activities that we have them to carry out experiments and obser- been specially modified to make them developed for the EPO work package of the vations with relatively simple and inexpen- appealing and easily usable. This gives AIDA project. Finally, in the last section we sive tools. Of course, having access to a students, teachers and members of the give a short account of our direct experi- telescope dramatically increases interest public access to tools which share the ences of using AIDA-WP5 tools in schools. in astronomy, both for the public and for look and feel of those used by professional schools. However, even if the internet has astronomers. made many resources available online, The formation of the public access to remotely controlled tel- AIDA-WP5 is not simply a door to VO Virtual Observatory escopes (e.g, the Faulkes telescope and resources: it is a self-contained resource others) remains limited. This is mainly offering a set of activities that includes In ancient times, astronomers looked at the because time slots are in short supply and, interesting astronomical problems to be sky with their naked eyes and noted their moreover, are not easily scheduled during solved using free software tools and data. observations on clay tablets, parchment, classroom hours. Activities are presented in documents that papyrus and paper. When Galileo Galilei both set out the astronomical problem and introduced the telescope to astronomy, In this paper we present the Virtual Obser- give instructions for how to solve it using this process did not change: astronomi- vatory for Schools and Public (the result VO tools and data. AIDA-WP5 comple- cal observations and scientific results of Work Package 5 of the Astronomical ments, or even substitutes for, access to were published and stored in books and Infrastructure for Data Access project — real telescopes with the obvious advantage papers. When photographic plates came AIDA-WP5). AIDA-WP5 is a free resource of being flexible. into common use, observatories had to

• The Sky is for Everyone: VO EPO • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 • Page 18 • The Sky is for Everyone: VO EPO • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 • Page 19

also of great value for another astronomer who is researching a totally different topic in the same part of the sky. Typically, the two astronomers would not be aware of one another and the second scientist would perform his own observations — produc- ing a duplicate of the same data already archived by the first. But thanks to the VO, the observations made by the first astrono- mer can be easily found and used by the second, bringing a significant increase in efficiency and reduction of costs.

Ultimately, the goal of the VO project is to provide a skin beneath which the complexi- ties of varied data coming from different instruments, telescopes and data centres can be concealed: as seen by an astrono- mer, the VO should look like a normal telescope.

Scientists are not the only group that can profit from the Virtual Observatory. Amateur astronomers can access professional data through the VO and use it for their work. And they are also able to submit their own observations, thus contributing directly to scientific research. Figure 1. The VO-software Aladin; depicting an image of the Carina Nebula taken by the Hubble Space Tel- escope with an overlay of catalogue data from the Vizier Database. Credit: Authors, NASA, ESA, CDS. In addition, the VO is a great opportunity store them too because they constituted Armenia, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, for teachers, students and in general for the raw data and formed a valuable scien- Europe, France, Germany, Hungary, India, the public. Most data in the VO are avail- tific archive. Nowadays we image the sky Italy, Japan, Korea, Russia, Spain, the able to everybody, whether or not they are directly to a file on a computer and store United Kingdom and the United States. Its astronomers — and in principle everyone our data digitally. Observatories all over the mission is to: should be able to access the same scien- world, together with astronomical satellites, tific data and tools as professional astrono- probes and telescopes in space, produce “facilitate the international coordination and mers. However, without proper explana- vast amounts of digital data every day and collaboration necessary for the develop- tions, professional data and specialised night. ment and deployment of the tools, systems tools are of little use for laypersons and In the past, accessing the collection of and organizational structures necessary non-professional astronomers. photographic plates of a certain observa- to enable the international utilization of tory was difficult. Inspecting the plates astronomical archives as an integrated and either involved travelling to the observatory interoperating virtual observatory.”1 Euro-VO AIDA for education itself, or requesting plates to be shipped — and public outreach which took a long time and ran the risk of In order to explain some of the reasons for damaging or destroying them. Today, how- setting up a VO, consider the following: In the framework of the European Euro- ever, exchanging digital data is very easy often, images taken by one observer are VO AIDA project2, which is funded by the and can be done via the internet rapidly and without complications.

Thus, thanks to the internet, every astrono- mer can, in principle, easily access and profit from the observations made by all other astronomers worldwide. In prac- tice however, a complex infrastructure is needed to collect and distribute the multi- tude of astronomical data. Since data are stored in different formats and according to different standards, internet communica- tions and exchanges have to obey proto- cols of communication and pass several processes of verification. This infrastruc- ture is provided by the Virtual Observatory (VO).

The International Virtual Observatory Alli- ance (IVOA) was established in 2002. The Figure 2. Stellarium shows how the sky looks. The Moon, a satellite and the orbit of Saturn are visible. IVOA now comprises 17 VO projects from Credit: ESO & the authors. Figure 4. Example of an activity: learning about planetary conjunctions in Stellarium. Credit: Authors. Figure 3. Example of an activity: measuring the distance to the Andromeda Galaxy with Aladin. Credit: Authors. it was also our task to collect and create astronomy and the way we view the world. examples that show how the data in the VO Making use of the tools and data from the European Commission under the Research can be accessed and used. VO, it is easy for students to retrace Edwin Infrastructure FP7, a special effort is being Hubble’s steps using real astronomical made towards education and public out- We chose the use-cases in order to apply data. reach. The fifth of AIDA’s eight work pack- them in schools, universities and public ages is dedicated to developing tools and outreach. The VO is a great opportunity In our activity we show that with Aladin, one methods to let students, teachers and the for teachers to introduce students to real can not only access many astronomical public in general benefit from the European astronomical data and the methods to images, but also a vast number of stellar investment in the VO. work with it. We have developed a series of measurements and catalogues. It is easy such activities of different complexities that to retrieve observational data of all the Cep- As a first step, we chose existing profes- are adequate for students of different ages heid stars in the Andromeda Galaxy and sional software tools for the retrieval, visu- and deal with different astronomical topics use Aladin’s built-in spreadsheet tools to alisation and analysis of VO data in order to ranging from the distribution of asteroids to process these measurements in the same adapt them for educational and outreach the distance of the galaxies. way as Edwin Hubble did when he was cal- purposes. One of the most popular tools culating the distance to Andromeda. to access the VO is the Aladin program, A typical use-case that can be employed in developed by the Centre de Données a school or a beginners’ astronomy lecture Other Aladin educational activities devel- Astronomiques de Strasbourg. In its pro- at a university deals with a concrete topic, oped by the AIDA-team include scenarios fessional version, Aladin is too compli- like the determination of the distance of the on the motion of stars, the confirmation of cated and contains too many specialised Andromeda Galaxy. Every activity starts supernovae or the properties of stars in functions to be of any interest for non- with a general introduction. the Pleiades3. For younger students or the professional users. We therefore created a general public who are not willing or able simpler, more accessible version of Aladin. For example, in the case of the Andromeda to carry out astronomical calculations, we Galaxy, it gives a short background brief- have developed other activities that make A second valuable tool used and modi- ing on the history and importance of dis- use of the Stellarium sky browser. fied by AIDA is the sky browser Stellarium, tance measurements in astronomy. Less developed by the European Southern than 100 years ago, we did not even know One such example deals with the wide- Observatory. It simulates the night sky, if our Milky Way was all there was in the spread myth of a world-ending catastrophe including the motion of stars and planets, Universe or if the faint nebulae observed on 12 December 2012; popularised all over at any given location around the world and in the sky might be distant islands of stars the world as the main theme of Roland for any given date. similar to our own galaxy. To resolve that Emmerich’s blockbuster movie 2012. A dispute, astronomers had to measure the major claim of the 2012-doomsayers is that Using and adapting Aladin and Stellarium, correct distances to these nebulae. This exactly on 21 December 2012 the planets it was our goal to develop tools that enable was done by Edwin Hubble in 1924 by of the Solar System will align perfectly everyone — and not only professional using the relation between the brightness to form a straight line and the resulting astronomers — to (virtually) observe the and the period of variable stars known as gravitational perturbations will disrupt the sky and access all relevant data. For this Cepheids. The discovery by Edwin Hubble Earth or at least cause major catastrophes purpose, it was not only necessary to pro- that the Andromeda Nebula was in fact an (floods, earthquakes, etc). This claim can vide the software; there was also a need for extremely distant galaxy full of stars and easily be refuted by using a desktop plan- examples and use-cases that demonstrate that our Universe consisted of myriads etarium, like the VO-compatible Stellarium. how to use Aladin and Stellarium in an of such galaxies, which apparently move easy and comprehensible way. As a result, away from us ever faster the further they In our activity we again start with a general besides the development of the software, are away, was revolutionary and changed introduction that explains how the planets

• The Sky is for Everyone: VO EPO • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 • Page 20 • The Sky is for Everyone: VO EPO • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 • Page 21

Aladin Stellarium a standard tool not only for professional

133 astronomers, simplifying their work, but 127 116 117 also for anyone who wants to introduce 108 103 people to the vast amount of knowledge and beauty that is uncovered by astro- nomical research.

32 27 24 19 17 11 References

1 2 3 1 2 3 • Iafrate, G., Ramella, M., Boch, T., Bon- narel, F., Chéreau, F., Fernique, P. & Fre- 1 Did you like it? 2 Is it useful to learn astronomy? 3 Is it easy to use? istetter, F. 2010, Un progetto didattico per Figure 5. Evaluation of Aladin and Stellarium. Blue bars give the number of students who answered “Yes”; le scuole secondarie : EuroVO-Aida/WP5, orange is the number of people who answered “No”. Credit: Authors. Giornale di astronomia, 31 in the Solar System move and how this More than more than 1500 students and • Ramella, M., Iafrate, G., Boch, T., Bon- results in the astronomical phenomenon 200 teachers know and have used AIDA- narel, F., Chéreau, F., Fernique, P. & Fre- of conjunctions. We then show how one WP5 and helped us improve our tools and istetter, F. 2010, At School with the Euro- can depict the position of the planets for use-cases. Figure 5 shows some results of pean Virtual Observatory, in Proceedings any given time and place and give exam- the evaluation. of the IAU Symposium Astronomy and its ples of interesting conjunctions in the past Instruments — Before and After Galileo. (e.g., the conjunction of May 2000 or the Additional input came from various groups conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in the of amateur astronomers. Currently, a cam- • Bonnarel, F., Fernique, P., Bienaymé, year 7 BCE that may be the basis for the paign is running to see if teachers can work O., Egret, D., Genova, F., Louys, M., story of the Star of Bethlehem). We also with the activities without help and supervi- Ochsenbein, F., Wenger, M. & Bartlett, show that it is easy to confirm that there will sion by professional astronomers. J. G. 2000, The ALADIN interactive sky be no special alignment in the year 2012 atlas. A reference tool for identification and give instructions on how to calculate of astronomical sources, Astronomy and the (negligible) gravitational effect on Earth Conclusions Astrophysics Supplement, 143, 33 if there ever were to be such a conjunction. Astronomy is a science that fascinates not only professional astronomers, but also Notes Classroom experiences the general public. The AIDA-WP5 project 1 is an attempt to make the large collection For details see http://ivoa.net/ with AIDA-WP5 2 For details on EURO-VO AIDA see http://www. of astronomical data that is freely available euro-vo.org/ Led by the Astronomical Observatory of Tri- both accessible and understandable for 3 All use-cases and software can be downloaded este (OATS), the AIDA/WP5 activities were everyone who is interested in the sky. The from: http://wwwas.oats.inaf.it/aidawp5/eng_ applied and tested in many Italian schools goal is to obtain a set of dedicated tools download.html?fsize=medium with students aged 14 and 18. Four hours and examples that can be used by teach- of teaching were dedicated to each activity: ers at schools and universities, by amateur one hour each to introduce the astronomi- astronomers and people working in public cal background and the concept of the outreach in order to understand the con- Biographies VO and two hours were reserved for the cept of the VO and deploy it autonomously. students to actually work on the problems. The Virtual Observatory should become Florian Freistetter is an astronomer, working for the European Virtual Obser- vatory EURO-VO at the Astronomisches Recheninstitut of the University Hei- delberg (Germany). Previously he has investigated the dynamics of asteroids and extrasolar planets at the observa- tories of the universities of Vienna and Jena. He is the author of the ScienceBlog Astrodicticum Simplex (http://www.sci- enceblogs.de/astrodicticum-simplex/)

Giulia Iafrate works on astronomy out- reach and education at the Astronomical Observatory of Trieste (Italy). She also collaborates with the Italian National In- stitute for Nuclear Physics in the analysis of the data of the Fermi-LAT satellite.

Massimo Ramella is associate astrono- mer at the INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste. He coordinates the outreach and education activities of OATS. He is the team leader of Work Package 5 of the Euro-VO AIDA project. His field of re- search includes the large-scale structure of the Universe and systems of galaxies. Figure 6. Massimo Ramella (OATS) introducing the Virtual Observatory to students at an Italian school. Credit: Authors. E-mail: [email protected] Italy of Padua, Observatory Astronomical INAF Benedetto Di Chiara

E-mail: [email protected] Italy of Padua, Observatory Astronomical INAF Valeria Cappelli Captivate Cartoons Celestial-themed Children decided to use their existing education and and education existing their to use decided and telescope They to astronomy. children to introduce a through glimpses first ofGalileo’s anniversary 400th the ebrate to cel wanted Italy Television Disney when (IYA2009), 2009 Yearof Astronomy national Inter the during 2009, in began project The Ferb. & Phineas Disney characters called two meets he as Galilei ofGalileo adventures the follows that series cartoon new a brand of creation The Disney? like company ment entertain atop with to work opportunity the have astronomers when happen can What Moon Informal Education Children Cartoons Edutainment Entertainment Education • Key Words Celestial-themed Cartoons Captivate Children Cartoons Celestial-themed - - - The Education and Public Outreach (EPO) (EPO) Outreach Public and Education The Kit. Astronomical First the and Italy), in week per copies million ofone a circulation (with children for magazine Disney weekly a in published ofarticles a series series, acartoon parts: three had project The Italy. ofPadua, vatory Ferb approached the Astronomical INAF & Obser Phineas and Galileo with Big Discoveries title working the had which project, the into input To expert some get year. each theme adifferent has which Attivamente called and old 8–13 years entertainment project, aimed at children able to work together to form a successful partnership. to a successful form together to work able —were practices working different very with —each company entertainment major a institute and research a how discusses article This heavens. the understanding in plays observation that role essential to the demonstrate and knowledge astronomical basic some to was children give kit of aim the The fact card. alunar and diary observation an Moon, the about game a board Italy, in children included and 000 to distributed 30 was Kit, Astronomical First the called kit, The Moon. the and Galilei Galileo on focused kit educational an and magazine aDisney in articles several series, of acartoon consisted 2010. June in to end an It came and YearInternational 2009 of Astronomy INAF the of office the during started ofItaly. Padua, project The Observatory Outreach Astronomical Public and Education the and Italy Television entertainment project for children, was a collaboration Disney between Ferb & Phineas and Galileo with discoveries Big Attivamente: Summary • CAPjournal, No. 10 2010 December , Disney Disney , - , Figure 1. Phineas and Galileo’s Moon drawings. drawings. Moon Galileo’s Italy Disney Credit: and Phineas 1. Figure

, an educational educational , an • Page 22 Page

Best Practices • Celestial-themed Cartoons Captivate Children • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 • Page 23

catcher, and a fact card about the Moon description of the history of observational called the Moon Identity Card. astronomy from naked-eye observing to the revolution ushered in by Galileo’s first telescope and leading eventually to today’s The board game: advanced astronomical instruments. Conquer the Moon

The board game follows a traditional for- The fact card: Moon mat: to move along the board and reach Identity Card the Moon, players have to correctly answer “true” or “false” to questions from a deck of The Moon Identity Card gives essential cards. The winner is the first player to reach facts and figures about the Moon, such the Moon. The playing cards were organ- as its diameter, temperature and distance ised into four different categories: science, from the Earth. Further information is Figure 2. The Disney characters: Phineas & Ferb. history, “oddball” and “chance” cards, all included on the card, including an expla- Credit: Disney Italy with questions related to the Moon. In addi- nation of what Galileo saw with his early tion to giving the correct answer, a brief telescope (accompanied by his famous office at the INAF Astronomical Observa- explanation of the topic was also included drawings of the Moon) and what is achiev- tory of Padua worked on the latter part of on the card. able nowadays. We decided to include this the project, drawing on their experience to information so as to focus on the impor- identify the most appropriate astronomi- On the back of the board game, there is tance of observation for astronomy. cal concepts for children in the target age a short biography of Galileo Galilei and a range. Most importantly, we had to pro- pose the most effective ways of conveying these concepts to children and to define an appropriate language and style.

Attivamente: Big discoveries with Galileo and Phineas & Ferb started in May 2009 and came to an end in June 2010. During that time, 30 000 First Astronomical Kits were distributed to children during visits to 25 INAF observatories and institutes, as well as to Italian science museums.

The stars: Phineas & Ferb, Galileo and the Moon

In order to engage children in this astro- nomical adventure we needed to find the right characters to explain the concepts. We chose the well-known faces of Disney’s Phineas & Ferb — two curious and funny inventors with a love for science and tech- nology — and a new Galileo Galilei cartoon character.

The Moon is the last character, and per- haps the most important. The Moon is the most prominent astronomical object in the sky after the Sun and is the perfect tool for introducing children to observational astronomy. Anyone can easily observe the changes in the Moon’s appearance in the sky and realise that they are a periodic celestial phenomenon. Also, the Moon is strongly linked to Galileo, because it was the first object that he observed with his telescope, back in 1609.

With the characters in place, we were able to start writing and editing the texts to be integrated into the Disney layout and graphics. The result of this work is the First Astronomical Kit, which includes a board game about the Moon called Conquer the Moon, an observation diary called Moon- Figure 3. The board game: Conquer the Moon. Credit: Disney Television Italy Figure 4. The Identity Card. Credit: Disney Italy

The observation diary: adds a practical element to the kit, and is the Moon, its presence (or not) over the Mooncatcher a natural follow-on from the informative horizon, and its appearance. By drawing board game and Moon Identity Card. what they saw each day in their diaries, To inspire children to start looking at the they could witness the periodic cycle of sky, we included an observation diary in The children were asked to look up at the Moon for themselves. And by flipping the kit, called the Mooncatcher. This diary the sky every day and night, to observe through the pages of their diaries, they

Figure 6. The cards. Credit: Disney Italy

• Celestial-themed Cartoons Captivate Children • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 • Page 24 • Celestial-themed Cartoons Captivate Children • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 • Page 25

Figure 7. Part of the game. Credit: Disney Italy were able to observe the lunar cycle as an However, it should be noted that the brevity Finally, we found that using different animated cartoon. of text does not mean that it is clear and media — a board game, observing diary, easy to understand. Sometimes it is better magazine features, cartoon series — was to give a more detailed explanation in order beneficial, with each different part of the Communicating with children to clarify a concept. project helping to reinforce the astronomy concepts. We decided to simplify the language, Last but not least, we needed to incorpo- wherever possible, but never when this rate the language style of the cartoon char- made the science incorrect. For example, acters Phineas & Ferb, and where possible, Credits to explain the concept of lunar eclipses, we used jokes and quotations appropriate the Italian text says, ”La luce del Sole non for the cartoon characters. For example: The Attivamente First Astronomical Kit pro- riesce ad arrivare fino alla Luna perché la ject was developed by Leopoldo Benac- Terra le fa ombra.”, which translates as: “Phineas celebrates the anniversary of the chio, Valeria Cappelli and Chiara Di Bene- “Sunlight doesn’t manage to reach the landing on the Moon ... and the party lasts detto, INAF — EPO Office & Astronomical Moon because the Earth casts its shadow too long! Step back two boxes!” Observatory of Padua, and Elena Baldini on it.” The expression “fare ombra” (“cast and Francesca Visini from Disney Televi- its shadow on it”) has a definite meaning, The main issue we had to face was con- sion Italy. which is easily understood by children. nected with the language: we had to make sure that the smart and young linguistic We also avoided unnecessary technical style of Phineas & Ferb was the best to words, but we kept those that could not communicate astronomical topics. We be accurately replaced with everyday lan- had to attract the children but be clear and guage, such as gamma rays, black holes, accurate: this was the hardest task to solve. Biographies orbit, galaxy and satellite. When technical words were used, we paid particular atten- tion to simplifying the sentence structure. Lessons learned Valeria Cappelli studied communica- Often, technical words can be easily under- tion at the University of Padua (Italy) and has a master’s degree in publishing. She stood if the context is made clear. Just as in a Disney story, our tale is coming was involved with the IYA2009 — Italian to its happy-ever-after ending. Following National Node and managed the official We had to keep the texts short and to the our collaboration with Disney, we strongly communications and coordination of the point to fit them onto the small cards, so we believe that a balance between educa- IYA2009 in Italy. She is interested in sci- ence education for children and writing. only introduced one concept on each card. tion and entertainment is possible. But to achieve success, the various stakeholders Chiara Di Benedetto studied communica- need to work together and be willing to tion at the University of Padua (Italy) and understand the differences in the ways that has a PhD in linguistics. She teaches writing courses at the University of Padua and col- they approach a project. laborates with the research centre Observa — Science in Society. Since 2007 she has We put a lot of effort into finding a balance worked at the Astronomical Observatory of between the needs of our research insti- Padua and is engaged with science com- munication, and in particular events and tute and those of Disney. We had different activities for children and social research. ways of working, points of view and goals, and we had to respect both. Going by the Valeria and Chiara are freelance workers in responses of the children who visited our science communication. During IYA2009 they collaborated with the INAF — Italian observatories and laboratories, we think National Institute for Astrophysics — to we have succeeded in this challenge and manage communication for the IYA2009 in created a positive synergy between Disney Italy and they developed outreach projects and INAF Astronomical Observatory of like the activity for Disney Channel; as mem- bers of the local secretariat, they organised Padua. the IYA2009 closing ceremony in Padua.

Figure 5. The booklet. Credit: Disney Italy A Journey Through the Universe at the Deutsches Museum Best Practices Best

Barbara Wankerl The Excellence Cluster Origin and Structure of the Universe, Germany E-mail: [email protected]

Summary Key Words Five research institutions in Munich and Garching bei München joined forces in Exhibitions the International Year of Astronomy 2009 to realise a unique exhibition project IYA2009 at the Deutsches Museum. The exhibition is called Evolution of the Universe Collaboration and invites visitors to take a tour through time, beginning 13.7 billion years ago Museums with the Big Bang and finishing with a glimpse into the future of the Universe. En route visitors learn how space, time, matter and the large structures in space have formed. The exhibition combines findings from astronomy, astrophysics, nuclear and particle physics in order to present the history of cosmos from different perspectives.

Introduction to settle, the celestial constellations led our Astronomy (IYA2009). Here I will describe ancestors through the seasons of the year, the planning and execution of one such In the orchestra of the natural sciences, telling them when to plant and harvest. IYA2009 project — an exhibition at a sci- astronomy plays the part of the first violin; it Astronomy also touches on deep philo- ence museum in Munich, Germany. is a fascinating and diverse science, which sophical questions, such as: where do we impacts on neighbouring disciplines, like come from? The Deutsches Museum in Munich, Ger- physics, mathematics, chemistry, engi- many, is one of the biggest and most neering, and in the future, possibly biol- Recognising the importance of astron- visited science and technology museums ogy too. In ancient times, observing and omy, nearly 150 countries took part in in the world. It was founded in 1925 and studying the sky was the only way to find dedicated projects and events that took became world-famous in the post-war one’s bearings, and when mankind started place throughout the International Year of era. Today it attracts close to 1.5 million

• A Journey Through the Universe at the Deutsches Museum • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 • Page 26 • A Journey Through the Universe at the Deutsches Museum • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 • Page 27 visitors per year, with the museum being a After the institutes had approved the ises in designing and building exhibitions “must” for both school classes and visiting finance plan for the exhibition, the start — was also brought on board the project. tourists. of the project was marked with a kick-off meeting in February 2009. At this meet- As mentioned earlier, due to the size The permanent astronomy exhibition ing the partners set the milestones and constraints of the room, the exhibition at the Deutsches Museum is extensive decided on the structure of the team. The could only focus on a few crucial stages and stretches over 1100 square metres. opening of the exhibition was scheduled in the Universe’s history. But after the first It focuses on classical astronomy and for the autumn of 2009, but this was round of collecting ideas, we had far too astrophysics, displaying a large number quickly postponed to a more realistic many proposals for themes, exhibits and of instruments, both old and modern, and date of December 2009. The project team movies. Also, not all of the artwork and supplemented with demonstrations and consisted of only five scientists (Werner film material were of sufficient quality. It small experiments. However, apart from Collmar, Olivier Hainaut, Hans-Thomas took the team two workshops in April and small cosmetic touch-ups, the exhibition Janka, Georg Raffelt and Jochen Weller), May, in collaboration with the architectural was last restored in 1992, and thus does who were each responsible for the mate- partner Die Werft, to sift through the col- not include the important findings of the rial for a specific epoch in the timeline, lected material to find the best resources past two decades. Also, the museum four consulting scientists (Andreas Müller, for the exhibition. With five large institu- had reached a point where it needed to Herbert Scheingraber, Achim Weiss and tions involved, this was a slow process, modernise its presentations to meet the Florian Zaussinger), three public outreach involving long discussions before deci- expectations of today’s more technically experts (Ed Janssen, Barbara Wankerl and sions could be reached on the proposals. and visually demanding audience. Silke Zollinger) and a science journalist. A Fortunately, the hard work paid off: the first professional team of interior architects — a exhibition layout presentation by Die Werft This is where the IYA2009 exhibition, company called Die Werft, which special- in May 2009 was accepted unanimously. Evolution of the Universe, stepped in to help — to fill this knowledge gap with a modern exhibition that covers recent dis- coveries in cosmology and astrophysics. Five research institutions co-produced the exhibition: the European Southern Obser- vatory (ESO), the Max-Planck Institutes for Physics, Astrophysics and Extraterrestrial Physics and the Excellence Cluster Uni- verse. The project planning began early in 2009 and the exhibition was opened to the public on 9 December 2009 and will remain open for at least two years.

From planning to execution

The five institutions behind the exhibition agreed to be equal partners with regards to financing and most of the project man- agement, but with the Excellence Cluster taking the project lead. The main aim of the exhibition was to interest and educate the general public, taking them on a journey through the 13.7 billion years of the Uni- verse’s history, and the methods and tools astronomers use to investigate its different stages of evolution. As all the institutions involved have a strong commitment to education and public outreach, the exhi- bition offered a fantastic opportunity for them to continue this important work.

Since the exhibition room was small (about 100 square metres), it was impor- tant to limit the number of topics covered. The 13.7 billion years of the history of the Universe was subdivided into five major epochs or stages: Big Bang, The Early Universe, Structure Formation, The Local Universe (The Universe on Your Doorstep) and The Future of the Universe. Staying with the usual format at the Deutsches Museum, the timeline was complemented with a hands-on demonstration area, plus a movie on the ceiling. Figure 1. Exhbition poster. Figure 3. View of the exhibition. Credit: KB Media/Die Werft

Amazing Universe provided a beautiful model of a black hole will be considered good enough “to be at the centre of the Milky Way. continued”. On entering the exhibition room, visitors can choose whether to walk along the History of the Universe wall, or to sit or lie Conclusions and future plans on the central circular sofa and watch the movie on the ceiling. The exhibition pre- The exhibition has been immensely suc- sents a unique combination of exhibits and cessful, with very positive feedback demonstrations. For example, a football is from both the visitors and the Deutsches used to explain how the Universe quickly Museum management team. At the inflated from an unimaginably small “dot” opening of the exhibition on 8 December to the size of ball, while two boxes of differ- 2009, Professor Wolfgang Heckl, director ently coloured sand are used to represent of the Deutsches Museum, said that this matter and antimatter. A demonstration “extraordinary exhibition” should hopefully about the cosmic microwave background become a permanent part of his institution. (CMB) shows how the CMB would look with different ratios of dark energy, ordi- It is impossible to count the number of visi- nary and dark matter. A very simple and tors who come to see this exhibition, but Biography effective presentation was achieved in if only one percent of all visitors visit the the Future section: three different-sized exhibition, that would mean 30 000 visitors mirrored boxes with LEDs (each light over a two-year period. Assuming this low Barbara Wankerl has been the PR man- representing a galaxy) give a stunning estimate for the number of visitors, with the ager of the Excellence Cluster Universe since July 2007. Barbara holds a university impression of how dark energy is influenc- total costs for the exhibition amounting to diploma in biology from the Ludwig-Maxi- ing the Universe. 200 000 euros, the institutions have spent milians-Universität (LMU) in Munich. After less than 7 euros per visitor, which is an her degree she completed a professional The exhibition also benefits from excel- excellent return on their investment. training to become a PR specialist and tech- nical writer. She worked for several years as lent contributions from the Deutsches a senior consultant with the Munich-based Museum, such as a life-size model of the The best way to guarantee the future of the PR firm Dr. Haffa & Partner, where she was inner tube of the Large Hadron Collider exhibition is to integrate it permanently into in charge of several accounts for inter­ and the Differential Radio-wave Microm- the portfolio of the Deutsches Museum. In national IT companies. In 2007 she joined the Technische Universität München to eter used in the COBE mission. ESO 2011, important discussions will be held work in the field of science communication, contributed a new model of the European to agree on the terms and conditions for first for the faculty of electrical engineer- Extremely Large Telescope, and the Max- making the exhibition an integral part of ing and later for the Universe Cluster. Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics the museum. We are optimistic the story

• AMaking Journey Astronomy Through theCulturally Universe Relevant at the Deutsches Museum • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 • Page 28 The 1400-page final report for the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) is a compilation of the achieve- ments of the 216 IYA2009 stakeholders — 148 countries, 40 international organisations and 28 global projects. The report shows the excitement, engagement and community involvement engendered by IYA2009. The report is intended to stand as a record of the legacy of this astonishing international celebration of astronomy. Download the International Year of Astronomy 2009 Final Report here: www.astronomy2009.org Tweeting Spacecraft: Communicating Space Science in the Age of Web 2.0 Best Practices Best

Janet Vertesi Princeton University E-mail: [email protected]

Summary Key Words Since 2008 NASA spacecraft have been using the microblogging service, Twitter Twitter, to communicate science topics and results to a long list of public Web 2.0 followers. In its ability to reach hundreds of thousands of individual users, Microblogging Twitter offers many benefits for the public communication of astronomy. But to use social media services responsibly requires several competing tensions outlined here to be balanced: specifically, with respect to agency1 and intimacy, and scientific expertise.

The Phoenix phenomenon In this article, I will discuss how the use public communication of science to local of microblogging services like Twitter and and international audiences. In November 2008, NASA’s Phoenix lander other Web 2.0 communities do not just watched the Sun set over the arctic horizon communicate science ideas with the pub- on Mars for the last time. With the Martian lic. They also have implications for how the Robotic relationships winter in full swing, solar power and tem- public sees and interacts with the space- peratures reached their expected low, craft; and potentially for how science is Usually, we think of single Twitter accounts freezing the robot’s circuits. As the com- done on the missions. First I will explore as managed by a single user, who may use munications stream from Mars fell silent, what it means to tweet from a spacecraft their profile and connections to establish a room full of the scientists and engineers account, and how Twitter constructs their online persona or interact with other who had commanded the robot for the agency and affective relationships with single users through the system (Boyd et duration of its brief mission mourned its distant robots. Second, I will examine the al., 2010; Honeycutt & Herring, 2009). Twit- loss at their headquarters at the University tensions that Web 2.0 technologies can ter can be used by these individuals for a of Arizona, USA. bring to our understanding of publishing variety of purposes, from general chatter and discovery in scientific communities. about everyday activities and making But once word went out to the Twit- These issues must be well understood online connections (Java et al., 2007), to terverse on @MarsPhoenix, over 40 000 by any communications office when they informal lightweight communications that Twitter users around the world mourned engage in Twitter activities. sustain a collegial work environment (Zhao Phoenix’s passing, posting tributes, & Rosson, 2009) to rapidly distributing criti- poems and heartfelt condolences online The findings that I present here are based cal information among communities in dis- to commemorate the spacecraft, as if it not on quantitative or computational tress (Starbird et al., 2010). But corporate were a dear, distant friend. When Wired analysis, but on my qualitative studies of microblogging is also expanding in popu- magazine held an online competition for spacecraft organisations based at NASA’s larity. An increasing number of companies, a suitable epitaph for the robot, they were Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). As a product lines, politicians and celebrities “officially impressed” to receive almost a sociologist of science, I have conducted possess and use Twitter accounts to inter- thousand entries. “Either you people really in-depth, on-site studies of the Mars Rover act with a wider public (Böhringer & Rich- love NASA swag [free gear],” the magazine mission and the Cassini mission, as well ter, 2009; Gilpin, in press). Such Twitter exclaimed, “or the little lander that could as historical research on missions such accounts may masquerade as individual captured some hearts and minds.” (Mad- as Viking, Voyager and Galileo. Lessons users with individual accounts, but in rigal, 2008) learned from these missions can be help- reality they are highly controlled by press ful to other organisations interested in the offices, product managers or agents. Their

Tweeting Spacecraft: • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 Page 30 Communicating Space in the Age of Web 2.0 • • Tweeting Spacecraft: • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 Page 31 Communicating Space in the Age of Web 2.0 • • interactions with their followers are usually one-way, relying on the retweet function to What is Twitter? spread information from a single point to a wider audience. Twitter (www.twitter.com) is a microblogging service. Users who sign up for accounts Tweeting spacecraft fall into this cat- can post short statements of only 140 characters or less, called Tweets. Users may egory: a single user account carefully also collect followers with whom they share these short statements. When a user managed by an organisation. Although logs in to the service, the first thing they see are recent Tweets posted by the people @MarsPhoenix appeared informal and they follow in their Home Timelines. Other Web 2.0 systems, like Facebook, have even casual, it was a carefully orches- similar features in that they allow users to post status updates to their Friends list, trated presentation of “self” managed by but these often include other methods of interacting within the system than the a single member of the JPL Press Office. exchange of shortened Tweets. On Twitter, users’ posts are publicly available and This staff member attended the daily may be traced across the system through the use of some Twitter-specific tools. For Phoenix science meetings, and used example, tagging posts with the “#” symbol can identify and then collate popular or her knowledge of NASA communication “trending” topics; users may get their followers’ attention by placing the “@” symbol policies to craft appropriate Tweets. As the in front of their follower’s user name in their status message; users may also type number of followers quickly grew to over “RT” to “retweet” or re-post someone else’s message as their own. 40 000 users, the NASA Press Offices, from Headquarters in Washington to indi- vidual centres across the United States, followers who feel that they are privy to this Getting friendly took notice. By the end of the mission, all intimate relationship between their robotic active and forthcoming NASA spacecraft friends. Because users outside NASA follow the possessed active Twitter accounts, some spacecraft’s Tweets, the robots’ staged with thousands of followers. These robots Corporate accounts on Twitter are wide- interactions give the impression of their are “tweeted for” by members of various spread, but bring up issues of online iden- acting as autonomous agents on the NASA Press Offices located at different tity management and patterns of interac- frontiers of space. An implication of this NASA centres or affiliated research institu- tion in a social network setting that are still activity is the anthropomorphisation of the tions, much in the way that other corporate being explored by social media research- spacecraft, a transformation of the robot entities tweet to their various publics. ers. When commercial companies Tweet into something — almost someone — that about sales or coupons, it seems that can be known intimately by a diverse and most human users do not reply, although dispersed group of people around the When spacecraft tweet, they may retweet to pass information world. The spacecraft invites this sense what do they say? along to their followers. However, the of agency as it speaks of its experiences fans of the spacecraft maintained their in colloquial terms familiar to internet Like celebrity Twitter feeds, spacecraft suspension of disbelief and would often users the world over, even using terms Tweets are carefully managed to give the address the robots as individual agents. like “yesss!”, or “lol”. Further, because the impression of the robots speaking directly During the Mars Phoenix mission, several spacecraft seems to reveal aspects of its to their fans. While in actual fact, each users tweeted to @MarsPhoenix, asking personal experience, this invites its fol- Tweet is subject to the same regulations questions for their science projects or to lowers to experience a sense of intimacy as NASA press releases and vetted by the clarify news reports and received indi- with it. A spacecraft follower can expect Press Office, the use of colloquialisms, first vidual replies. For example, when Lucas to see regular updates from her robot on person pronouns, and idiomatic expres- Zallio (@LucasZ), a web administrator in a regular basis, posted alongside Tweets sions makes the result appear informal Argentina, tweeted, “@MarsPhoenix Do from friends, co-workers or organisations. and direct. For example, on 23 July 2010, you get oven power from the Sun or is it This produces a sense of the spacecraft @MarsCuriosity (the Twitter account for fuel powered?”, the spacecraft appeared as both singular and agential, with an the new Mars Science Laboratory mis- to reply directly, saying, “@lucasZ … I’m evolving history. It also invokes a sense of sion) tweeted: “Very busy in the clean solar powered, saved to lithium ion bat- intimacy in the constant process of reveal- room as I get ready to roll for the 1st time teries. At this latitude, panels are 28% effi- ing and following everyday events in a in about 15 mins (2pmPDT/21UTC) Join us: cient turning sunlight to power.” The Press spacecraft’s life. This affection was espe- http://bit.ly/92t5HI.” The click-through link Officer behind the Twitter account recalls cially evident in the online response to allowed Curiosity’s followers to access an being astonished at the overwhelming vol- @MarsPhoenix’s death, when tributes, hai- internet webcam in a backstage area of ume of replies to the spacecraft’s Tweets, kus and farewell messages were tweeted the NASA laboratory where the robot was each one of which she answered as by followers around the world upon hear- being assembled. Note that the use of the @MarsPhoenix. ing of Phoenix’s demise. first person makes it seem as though the robot is speaking directly to its friends in Only when the robot finally went silent This sense of intimacy developed through cyberspace, despite being an inanimate did the users behind the account let up online interactions has implications for object on that could be on a planet millions on the illusion. But even then, they care- Twitter users and followers alike. First, of kilometres away. This sense of robotic fully maintained the robot’s identity as cases like these prove that the robot can personality is augmented when other JPL the source of most of the Tweets. Thus a develop and maintain a sense of agency spacecraft like @MarsRovers retweeted Tweet from 1:42PM on 10 November 2008 and personality despite being millions @MarsCuriosity’s call for webcam watch- uses brackets to designate the status of of miles away (Suchman, 2007; Vertesi, ers, saying, “Aw, they grow up too fast!” “Phoenix Ops” as interlopers on Phoe- 2009). That is, we do not have to be face- Such a comment establishes a relationship nix’s account, saying: “[Phoenix Ops: We to-face with a robot, nor does the robot between the two robots, using a familiar promised Phoenix to continue to update have to appear anthropomorphic, in order phrase often exchanged between parents here its discoveries and future news. for us to develop a meaningful relationship or siblings. This relationship is then visible Another goodbye from Mars…]” with it. Second, studies of communication over the Twitter network to thousands of and psychology have shown that revealing details about one’s private life builds a per- working relationship can be established forums, a new expectation of visibility to ceived sense of intimacy between two indi- between those who operate the spacecraft the public has inspired some changes in viduals, often as strongly felt on the reveal- and those who tweet on its behalf. how scientists plan and craft their scientific er’s side as that of the confidant (Collins & observations, discoveries and announce- Miller, 1994; Levinger & Huesmann, 1980). ments. Behind the scenes, I have often Such perceived intimacy may contribute to Where does data come from? observed planetary scientists exchanging the sense of success on behalf of NASA concerns about what the public will think outreach personnel. That a low-budget, Taking a picture on Cassini, Phoenix or the of the Tweets and blog posts about their short-term, and largely immobile mission Mars Rovers takes considerable social and data. There is much anxiety that images such as Phoenix could be seen to touch the scientific work. First, a scientist must be from another planet will be misinter- lives (and Twitter Timelines) of thousands selected to join the mission via a lengthy preted, leading to public misunderstand- presented a public relations breakthrough. application and review process. Then ings, or that amateur interpretations of It also suggested that public outreach was they must come up with a hypothesis, and these images will be misinterpreted as being successfully accomplished on an observations that might prove or disprove professional ones. Twitter also brings up unprecedented scale. that hypothesis. Next, they must make a complex questions about the process of case for that observation such that their science. Can significant science content But because the press offices were control- team members support it, which means really be conveyed in 140 characters or ling the information that the public received negotiating with other instruments for less? Does a Tweet count as a “publica- directly, Twitter seemed to eliminate the spacecraft time, bytes and power to take tion” when it comes to a discovery priority need for longstanding media practices. In the observation. Finally, they may work dispute? What is the role of the expert in the past, press offices had to rely on press with technical assistants to craft and code this new environment? How can scientists releases sent to news media outlets, and the observation request for upload to the preserve and support the public’s respect could not necessarily control which stories spacecraft. The images, spectral readings for scientific expertise, work and the status were printed. As the press officer in charge and other measurements that return from of peer-reviewed publications in the era of of the Twitter feeds explained, “Mainstream the spacecraft are embedded within this Tweeting and retweeting? media are more likely to cover a bad news delicate process. But when the spacecraft story than a good story. Twice we had bad speaks with a single voice and appears to These anxieties are not unfounded. In Jan- days on Phoenix… and that would have have an agency all its own, the people who uary 2008, there were reports of an image been all [the information] they [i.e. the make the spacecraft work seem to disap- of a woman or a Sasquatch on Mars, which public] were getting. Being able to put out pear and become invisible. many people claimed to see in an image information daily changed the way people taken by the Mars Rover, Spirit. Although thought about the mission.” Increasing This invisibility masks three related issues quickly discredited by scientists on the control over the mission story as a whole, with respect to spacecraft data. First, the mission, the story was already out of their instead of being subject only to intermittent data that spacecraft collect are neither control. It gathered considerable speed negative reports, can be a tremendous neutral nor always inherently shared. on the internet as it was blogged and success for mission press offices, but the Because scientists must compete against shared by users the world over, and was new approach also changes the relation- each other for the privilege of building an even reported by traditional media outlets ship between these offices, the public and instrument, the data that their instrument such as national television networks and science reporters. returns belongs to them and to their team, newspapers (CNN.com, 2008). Similarly, and often cannot be easily or intuitively in April 2010, a popular blogger in the understood by outsiders. Second, scien- planetary science community used Photo- Web 2.0 and expertise tists are cautious about stating anything shop to put together her own composite about their data publicly until it has been of images taken by the Cassini spacecraft, Over the course of Phoenix’s short life, sufficiently confirmed, calibrated and sub- and posted the result with a discussion on microblogging became increasingly cen- ject to peer review. They therefore negoti- her blog. This image was picked up and tral to the daily work of the mission. Twit- ate for proprietary or validation periods posted as the Astronomy Image of the Day ter and other Web 2.0 technologies such with their data so that they can be sure on a website hosted on a NASA server, as Facebook and blogs have since then to fully understand it and stand behind no doubt to the blogger’s excitement. been harnessed across NASA’s offices it when their findings are released to the But conspiracy theorists on the internet to release their spacecraft’s images in public and to their colleagues. Third, many jumped on the image, claiming that it was near-real time to the public. To date, scientists on missions are anxious that doctored to the point of being unbeliev- @CassiniSaturn has 75 000 followers; when their data is released, others will able, proving that NASA was manipulating @MarsRovers has 80 000. Their Tweets see for themselves what the scientists had the public. Both the image site and the often include single-line descriptions hoped to see in the first place: that which blogger were independent of NASA, but about a discovery, and may include short inspired them to convince their colleagues the space agency was held accountable links to blog posts, images or published that it was worth dedicating spacecraft for this interpretation. (see Lakdawalla, papers. As Tweets are retweeted, URLs time, bytes, and power to take the obser- 2010). clicked and blog RSS feeds generated, vation. Scientists who express reserva- word of a spacecraft’s activities spreads tions about releasing their data too early Such examples do not come from Twit- quickly. But while this may seem like a are usually not being obstinate or selfish, ter, but do speak to some tensions that dream come true for press offices, it is but acting in the best interest of their own Web 2.0 technologies have generated important to note that Web 2.0 technolo- and their team’s scientific process. with respect to scientific work. Releases gies such as wikis and blogs have in the of data used to be reserved for scientific past exacerbated a tension between the publications and major press confer- mission press office and the participating Who are the experts? ences, wherein a discovery would be scientists. In the drive to generate context appropriately announced — and credited. for Twitter feeds, these tensions should be With the coming of Web 2.0 technolo- With Web 2.0, however, the expectation of considered very carefully so that a strong gies like blogs, wikis and amateur web immediacy and visibility means that more

Tweeting Spacecraft: • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 Page 32 Communicating Space in the Age of Web 2.0 • • Tweeting Spacecraft: • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 Page 33 Communicating Space in the Age of Web 2.0 • • space agencies are asking scientists to to the public, we must bring it mindfully • Java, A, Song, X., Finin, T. & Tseng, B release their data to the public sooner: into existing relationships, restrictions and 20 07, Why we Twitter: Understanding sometimes even before their colleagues ways of working within the scientific com- Microblogging Usage and Communities, on the same mission have seen the data. munity. After all, these are crucial to getting Proceedings of the 9th Joint WEBKDD To some scientists, such requests violate the work of science done in the first place. Workshop, (ACM Press, New York), 56 their scientific process, bypassing require- ments such as peer review, analysis and • Lakdawalla, E. 2010, I’m part of the con- even calibration. To be fair, not all scien- Acknowledgements spiracy, apparently, http://planetary.org/ tists work this way: some missions believe blog/article/00002710 (Retrieved on 24 it is important to release all their image Thanks to Judy Chen, Irina Shklovski, November 2010) data to the public as soon as it is acquired. Victoria McGregor and anonymous NASA However, in my research on the subject, mission scientists for comments on ear- • Levinger, G. & Huesmann, L. 1980, An missions launched before 2000 and the lier drafts. A version of this paper was “incremental exchange” perspective on majority of European space projects are accepted to the CHI 2010 workshop on the pair relationship. In: Social Exchange, more likely to include independent teams Microblogging, in Atlanta, Georgia. This Eds. Gergen, K et al., (Plenum Press, that shepherd their results. And while one work was funded by the National Science New York), 165 team member on an interplanetary mission Foundation’s Virtual Organizations as may delight in the opportunity to have their Sociotechnical Systems Program: Office • Madrigal, A. 2008, @MarsPhoenix’s data instantly streamed to thousands of of Cyberinfrastructure, Grant #0838499. Twitter Epitaphs, Wired Magazine, http:// people over morning coffee, another may www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/11/ express serious reservations about releas- marsphoenixs-tw/ (Retrieved on 24 ing such information to the public. Whether Notes November 2010) one believes that open data is the way forward or not, both perspectives need to 1 Agency: Here, specifically referring to the • Starbird, K., Palen, L., Hughes, A. & be treated with respect and understanding received impression that the robots and space- Vieweg, S. 2010, Chatter on The Red: craft are able to act autonomously. when generating content for Twitter feeds. What Hazards Threat Reveals about the Social Life of Microblogged Information, Proceedings of the 2010 ACM Confer- Why, where and when to References ence on Computer Supported Coopera- tweet? tive Work, (ACM Press, New York), 241 • Böhringer, M. & Richter, A. 2009, Adopt- There are clearly many benefits to starting ing Social Software to the Intranet: A • Suchman, L. 2007, Human–Machine a Twitter stream for one’s spacecraft or Case Study on Enterprise Microblogging, Reconfigurations, (Cambridge University scientific experiment. With a few short key- Proceedings of the 9th Mensch & Com- Press, Cambridge) strokes, a single message can be relayed puter Conference, Berlin, Germany, 293 directly to followers around the world, by • Vertesi, J. 2009, Seeing Like a Rover: passing media relations, and allowing the • Boyd, D., Golder, S. & Lotan G. 2010, Embodied Experience on the Mars Explo- public to build an intimate relationship Tweet Tweet Retweet: Conversational ration Rover Mission, Extended Abstracts with their spacecraft. For some, this is a Aspects of Retweeting on Twitter, Pro- of the 2008 ACM Conference on Human dream come true, ensuring their mission’s ceedings of 42nd Hawaii International Factors in Computing Systems, (ACM success and continued public support; for Conference on System Sciences, Press, New York), 2523 others, it suggests a public relations night- HICSS-43, IEEE: Kauai, HI mare. But as for any new technology, reap- • Zhao, D. & Rosson, M. B. 2009, How ing a cascade of benefits from Web 2.0 • Collins, N. & Miller, L. 1994, Self-disclo- and Why People Twitter: The Role that mission communications requires careful, sure and liking: A meta-analytic review, Microblogging Plays in Informal Commu- local consideration of how press offices Psychology Bulletin, 116, 3, 457 nication at Work, Proceedings of GROUP will work with scientists to release mission 2009. (ACM Press, New York), 243 information responsibly and thoughtfully. • CNN.com, 2008, The Shot: Man on This requires thinking about why, when, Mars?, http://www.cnn.com/video/#/ and where to tweet, and doing so in collab- video/bestoftv/2008/01/23/cooper.shot. oration with each unique mission to hear tuesday.cnn (Retrieved on 24 November scientists’ concerns and excitement about 2010) the new process. Science press offices would be wise to meet with the scientists • Gilpin, D. R. Forthcoming, Working the Biography they represent to come up with internal Twittersphere: How Public Relations policies for the use of Web 2.0 technolo- Practitioners Use Microblogging for Pro- Janet Vertesi is a PhD graduate from gies or “new media”. Such policies should fessional Identity Construction, In: The Cornell University in Science & Technology aim to balance the enthusiasm of Tweet- Networked Self: Identity, Community and Studies. Currently she is a Cotsen Fellow at ing spacecraft on the one hand, with a Culture on Social Network Sites, ed. Z. the Society of Fellows in the Liberal Arts at respect for local scientific and operational Papacharissi, (Routledge, New York) Princeton University, where she also holds a Lecturer appointment in the Sociology De- processes on the other. Without such initial partment. Her work focuses on the complex communication, a rush to embrace Twit- • Honeycutt, C. & Herring, S. 2009, intersections between people, science and ter runs the risk of generating more bad Beyond microblogging: Conversation technology such as the social organisa- press than positive public experiences. and collaboration via Twitter, Proceed- tion of robotic spacecraft teams, and the role of images in scientific practice. She As with any technology, Twitter cannot ings of 42nd Hawaii International Confer- is currently conducting an ethnographic change the process of science, and would ence on System Sciences, IEEE Press, study of the Cassini mission to Saturn. be unwise to try to do so. Instead, to be Los Alamitos, CA More information: http://janet.vertesi.com/ truly valuable both to the scientists and Visualising Astronomy: “The Big Picture” Reviews

Ryan Wyatt California Academy of Sciences E-mail: [email protected]

Key Words

Visual Communication Astronomy Visualisation

News flash! Planetariums have changed. breakthrough, combined with hardware about the Digital Universe: a sphere 70 - odd With fulldome video technology1 in nearly and software engineering, which enables light-years in radius, which represents the 700 planetariums worldwide2, these “thea- sophisticated data visualisation.” In clos- distances out to which humanity’s strong- tres of time and space”3 have evolved into ing, we speculated that, “perhaps the Digi- est radio signals have travelled. “Before learning environments that truly deserve tal Universe can help stimulate a cosmic television carrier waves, the early-warning that moniker. How do we teach with these perspective toward our own species.”4 With radar first used in World War II, and the new tools, these new images? And what several more years of experience under detonation of atomic weapons, Earth was potential do planetariums now offer for the planetarium community’s collective radio-quiet to the Universe. After the use changing the way people think about belts, we have gained significant experi- of these and other radio emitters began, humanity and its place in the Universe? A ence working with the Digital Universe, but in the late 1930s and early 1940s, signals few personal observations and specula- we still have a lot to learn. were able to escape the atmosphere and tions follow... travel into space at the speed of light.”6 A three-dimensional virtual model lends One can think of planetariums as offer- itself to talking about scale, and indeed, These examples speak to a critical point ing two kinds of “big picture”. First off, a most teaching with the medium has in helping audiences make sense of the domed theatre often projects an intrinsi- centred on conveying the immensity of size of the Universe. Connecting human cally large image: the Morrison Plan- the Universe. Light travel time of course experience to otherwise abstract data etarium sports a 23-metre diameter dome, becomes the lingua franca of describing allows people to make the concepts more with a correspondingly enormous projec- distance, and to maximise impact with an tion. But modern planetariums also allow audience, one can link time to events in a for an opportunity to present nested spa- person’s life — or events in the history of life tial scales out to the Cosmic Microwave on Earth. The distance to the Moon? One Background (CMB), scaffolding each and a half seconds corresponds to a brief hierarchical step in a fundamentally visual pause in conversation. Between Earth and and visceral experience, a gateway to big- the Sun? Eight and a half minutes might picture thinking. We in the biz usually refer afford enough time for a quick lunch. The to the latter under the umbrella term, the diameter of Pluto’s orbit? A good night’s Digital Universe, a name coined by the sleep. The nearest star? A high school or Hayden Planetarium team at the American college education (in the United States, at Museum of Natural History, USA. least). Across the Milky Way? The history of our species on the planet.5 As a couple of colleagues and I wrote more than six years ago, “The Digital Uni- Sometimes, the temporal and physical verse atlas has grown out of a convergence scales mesh perfectly to reinforce concep- Figure 1. Earth’s radio sphere (the small blue circle of two great streams of technical achieve- tually important points. For example, the near the centre of the image) in context, with a two- dimensional spiral galaxy image scaled to the size ment: celestial mapmaking, the product concept of the “radio sphere” has entered of the Milky Way, rendered using Partiview freeware. of centuries of observation and scientific the vocabulary of many people who talk Courtesy of AMNH/NCSA.

Value of Vintage Observatories and Historic Telescopes in • Visualising Astronomy: “The Big Picture” CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 Page Page 34 34 • Communicating Astronomy with the Public • •• • Visualising Astronomy: “The Big Picture” • CAPjournal, No. 10 December 2010 • Page 35

concrete — and more approachable. When one looks at an image of the radio sphere appropriately scaled relative to the size of (a stand-in for) the Milky Way, one sees humanity’s electromagnetic footprint in space (Figure 1). It also represents a relative technological timeline: if the Milky Way’s diameter corresponds to the age of Homo sapiens, then the radio sphere rep- resents the duration of one of our species’ technological attributes. The spatial and temporal scales overlap in a meaningful, visual way.

Of course, this only gets you so far. By Figure 2. The Observable Universe seen from outside in both space and time: WMAP data depicted as a the time you hit the Virgo Cluster, you’re sphere cantered on Earth with SDSS galaxy (white and red) and quasar (purple) data scaled according- talking about the death of the dinosaurs, ly, rendered using the planetarium software Digital Sky. Courtesy of M. SubbaRao (Adler Planetarium) & D. Surendran. and the scale of light travel time becomes fairly abstract. And of course, the billions of light-years that separate us from distant can redefine how people think about their Notes quasars represent a period over which home planet. One could think of this as an the Universe has changed dramatically. extension of the “overview effect” reported 1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulldome (retrieved on The ultimate punchline is the CMB placed by astronauts, in which the experience of 15 December 2010) in context with the galaxy and quasar seeing Earth from space invoked feelings 2 Loch Ness Productions Fulldome Theater Com- distances measured by, for example, the of connectedness and euphoria.7 Can pendium, retrieved on 15 December 2010 (avail- Sloan Digital Sky Survey (Figure 2). Look- such a response be elicited virtually? able online at http://www.lochnessproductions. ing out in space means looking back in com/lfco/lfco.html) time, and the use of light travel time as a My institution, the California Academy of 3 Marché, J., 2005, Theaters of Time and Space: measure of distance eventually leads to a Sciences, USA, does active research in the American Planetaria, 1930–1970, Rutgers Univer- head-on confrontation with evolutionary life sciences as well as outreach, and for sity Press. changes in the Universe. a grand re-opening in a new, green build- 4 Abbott, B., Emmart, C. and Wyatt, R., 2004, Virtual ing, astronomy played a supporting role in Universe, Natural History Magazine, (available A written explanation of this journey does a planetarium show that knitted together online at http://www.naturalhistorymag.com/ not communicate the impact of virtual the themes of the Academy’s exhibits and picks-from-the-past/171931/virtual-universe) travel afforded by a contemporary plan- research. Fragile Planet placed Earth in a 5 Hester, J. et al. 2002, 21st Century Astronomy, etarium. Technological and aesthetic cosmological context, with the intention W.W. Norton & Company, 2002 choices transform this intellectual journey of influencing audiences’ ideas about into a visual experience. Indeed, in a mod- environmentalism and sustainability. Our 6 Abbott, B. 2007, The Digital Universe Guide. ern planetarium, “flying” through a virtual as-yet unpublished evaluation of the pro- (available online at http://www.haydenplanetarium. org/universe/duguide/mwg_radec.php) model of the Universe, it becomes a truly gramme showed that audiences got that visceral experience: you can feel exhila- message, but not as loudly and clearly as 7 White, F. 1998, The overview effect: space explora- rated and perhaps even a little queasy intended. tion and human evolution, 2nd edition, American making the trip out to the CMB. Institute of Astronautics and Aeronautics. Perhaps such connections require more 8 http://www.geodome.info/ (retrieved on 15 Decem- specific emphasis. The Academy recently ber 2010) What does this kind of cos- hosted a meeting for the NOAA-funded 9 Worldviews Network team, and we spent  http://www.oesd.noaa.gov/elg/elg10/10_elg_INFa- mological thinking inspire? wards.html (retrieved on 15 December 2010) an evening in our GeoDome8 strategising. For many, frankly, a certain amount of frus- In the words of the proposal statement, tration. After taking people on a “tour of the “the Worldviews Network will make explicit Universe”, I often get asked what things the interconnections of Earth’s life support look like “right now”: people grasp the idea systems across time and space” with the that light travel time reveals objects as they goal of “engaging the American public in existed in the past, but they find it difficult dialogues about human-induced global to divorce the three dimensions of the changes”.9 To paraphrase my colleague virtual model from the three dimensions David McConville, a cosmological per- of ordinary space. (Whereas the virtual spective might help open people’s minds model actually combines spatial and tem- to the magnitude of the design challenges Biography poral dimensions, and of course, the finite that face us in a rapidly changing world. speed of light allows us to reconstruct the history of the Universe, effectively embed- How might the Digital Universe transform Ryan Wyatt is the Director of Morrison ded in the three-dimensional representa- people’s views? The current generation Planetarium and Science Visualization tion.) Overall, one can leave such an expe- of planetariums, equipped with appropri- at the California Academy of Sciences rience feeling very small... ate technology and data, might just open in San Francisco, California, U.S.A. He people’s minds to new attitudes and writes a sadly irregular blog, “Visual- izing Science,” available online at http:// But perhaps we can use the “big picture” understanding. visualizingscience.ryanwyatt.net/. • Visualising Astronomy: “The Big Picture” to evoke other responses. Perhaps plac- ing Earth in its spatial-temporal context from bold, italics, super- and subscripts. Submit articles for one of CAPjournal Hard carriage returns after each line should the following journal sections: be avoided, as should double spacing submission between sentences. If the contribution con- Announcements tains figures, these may — just for the sake of overview — be pasted inline in the Word Reviews guidelines manuscript along with the caption (Word files below 4 MB are encouraged). 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