A Cosmic View of Life on Earth: Visualizing Biology Through an Astronomical Lens
How can billions of data points about life on Earth be transformed into something that can be seen, explored, and understood?
In “A Cosmic View of Life on Earth: Visualizing Biology Through an Astronomical Lens,” Alexander Bock from Linköping University presents an interdisciplinary collaboration that brings together astrophysics, biology, and data visualization to rethink how complex biological information is explored.
The work builds on techniques originally developed to map stars and galaxies, which are now being applied to biological data through the OpenSpace platform. This approach enables large and complex datasets to be translated into spatial visualizations, offering a new way to experience relationships between species, patterns of evolution, and ecological systems.
A key element of this work is the use of dimensionality-reduction techniques, which help organize and harmonize complex biological datasets into formats that can be visualized and explored. These visualizations can be experienced across different environments, from standard screens to immersive spaces such as full planetarium domes.
The project also incorporates multiple layers of information to enrich the experience, including geographic metadata, 3D specimen scans, and species-specific sonifications, such as bird sounds. Together, these elements support the communication of biological narratives across different species groups, from insects and birds to mammals and human migration patterns.
Notably, this work originated from two master’s thesis projects at Linköping University, demonstrating how student research can contribute to broader scientific developments and interdisciplinary collaboration.
This type of interdisciplinary work connects directly to the learning approach within ARISE, where Human-Computer Interaction and Extended Reality are applied to real-world data and complex systems. By combining data visualization, immersive environments, and interaction design, the program reflects how tools like OpenSpace can be used not only for technical exploration but also for communicating scientific knowledge in accessible and engaging ways.
Within this context, Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL and 28DIGITAL contribute to shaping how these approaches are integrated into educational pathways, supporting learners in understanding how methods from one field can be applied in another, and how immersive technologies can be used to interpret and present complex information.
Readers can explore the full article for a detailed look at how this interdisciplinary work connects methods, technologies, and scientific perspectives.
Learn more about ARISE: https://28digital.eu/eu-collaborations/arise
Project Number: 101225600 — ARISE — DIGITAL-2024-ADVANCED-DIGITAL-07-KEYCAPACITY
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HADEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.