Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/35833

Title

Incorporating interactive three-dimensional graphics in astronomy research papers

Author(s)

Barnes, David G.;  Fluke, Christopher J.

Abstract

Most research data collections created or used by astronomers are intrinsically multi-dimensional. In contrast, all visual representations of data presented within research papers are exclusively two-dimensional (2D). We present a resolution of this dichotomy that uses a novel technique for embedding three-dimensional (3D) visualisations of astronomy data sets in electronic-format research papers. Our technique uses the latest Adobe Portable Document Format extensions together with a new version of the S2PLOT programming library. The 3D models can be easily rotated and explored by the reader and, in some cases, modified. We demonstrate example applications of this technique including: 3D figures exhibiting subtle structure in redshift catalogues, colour-magnitude diagrams and halo merger trees; 3D isosurface and volume renderings of cosmological simulations; and 3D models of instructional diagrams and instrument designs.

Publication type

Journal article

Research centre

Swinburne University of Technology. Faculty of Information and Communication Technologies. Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing

Source

New Astronomy, Vol. 13, no. 8 (Nov 2008), p. 599-605

Publication year

2008

Keyword(s)

3D;  Astronomy research;  Cosmological simulations;  Galaxies;  Data analysis methods;  Models;  PDF;  Portable Document Format;  Presentation;  S2PLOT;  Three-dimensional visualisations;  Visual representations

Publisher

Elsevier

ISSN

1384-1076

Publisher URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.newast.2008.03.008

Copyright

Copyright © 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Peer reviewed