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Galaxy Map @galaxymap.bsky.social · 19h

Think of the difference between Google's map view and satellite view. This project is basically a 3D satellite view of ionized hydrogen gas. I hope that it will lead to improvements in the current maps we have of star formation regions.

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Galaxy Map @galaxymap.bsky.social · 19h

I look forward to the researchers extending it including adding hot B-type stars to the mix, going beyond 1250 parsecs etc. I know this may sound pedantic, but not every visualization is a map. A map takes data like this and simplifies, abstracts and labels it to enhance our understanding.

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Galaxy Map @galaxymap.bsky.social · 20h

I love this project, which is an attempt to create a 3D scalar field of ionization values out to 1250 parsecs, currently based on the Edenhofer dust extinction field and the location of 82 O-type stars.

ESA Space Science @science.esa.int · 1d

👶🌟 ICYMI, Gaia released the most accurate 3D map of stellar nurseries in the Milky Way.

The map extends 4000 light-years from us, with the Sun at the centre.

Explore it here 👉 https://f.mtr.cool/lkkmqlzqih 🔭

This image captures a richly detailed section of the Milky Way, showcasing a tapestry of stars and glowing nebulas. Against a deep black cosmic backdrop, countless white stars sparkle like scattered diamonds. Wisps of reddish-pink nebulas drift across the scene, forming delicate tendrils and cloud-like structures.

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Galaxy Map @galaxymap.bsky.social · 22h

But middle is correct. The model is centred on the Sun.

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Galaxy Map @galaxymap.bsky.social · 22h

I haven't had a lot of luck with putting labels on 3d models. I might put overview diagrams at different locations like tourist agencies put at lookout points.

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Galaxy Map @galaxymap.bsky.social · 1d

I will probably make at least the ionized gas meshes a bit translucent. But I know from experience that transparency makes confusing images ten times more confusing.

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Galaxy Map @galaxymap.bsky.social · 1d

A lot more disorienting than just a top down map but I expect some people would find the 3D view interesting. The ISM room will let people walk around the model and compare it with the top down map.

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Galaxy Map @galaxymap.bsky.social · 1d

Someone was asking what the interstellar medium around the Sun looks like in 3D. Here's a quick render. I might add an improved version of this to a room in my Star Central VR world.

Brown: dust, red: ionized gas, blue: hot stars.

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Galaxy Map @galaxymap.bsky.social · 1d

I've experimented with printing my maps on clothing before. However, the result was expensive and tedious to deliver. These tops will cost about 75 cents and be delivered in one click. Only for Meta avatars of course but there are tens of millions with Quest headsets so I hope to see them worn.

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Galaxy Map @galaxymap.bsky.social · 2d

Why are there not more funds / awards for tech or science available to European residents I ask myself for the one millionth time.

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Galaxy Map @galaxymap.bsky.social · 2d

Congratulations to Kareem El-Badry! Not his fault at all, but I cannot avoid noticing the irony of someone getting an award that only goes to US citizens/residents whose research is largely based on a European Space Agency mission (Gaia).

Caltech @caltech.edu · 2d

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has awarded Kareem El-Badry, assistant professor of astronomy at Caltech, with a 2025 MacArthur Fellowship, an honor that comes with a "no-strings-attached" grant of $800,000.

www.caltech.edu/about/news/k...

Kareem El-Badry Named a 2025 MacArthur Fellow

www.caltech.edu

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Galaxy Map @galaxymap.bsky.social · 2d

Not that 3D isn't important too but you have to be very careful how you use it.

Galaxy Map @galaxymap.bsky.social · 2d

I think a lot of people assume that 3D is the big thing about VR but that is not quite it. The big thing is immersion. For example, in my worlds you can float in space with the galaxy completely surrounding you. You can't get an immersive experience like that with just a single flat screen.

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Galaxy Map @galaxymap.bsky.social · 2d

I do have a couple in my Virtual Starship app in the Quest store and people like them because they have never seen anything like it before. But they lack the ability to easily orient yourself that you have in 2D maps.

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Galaxy Map @galaxymap.bsky.social · 2d

I have experimented with showing 3D maps and even with a 3D system it is tough. They are hard to label and travel through. I expect that there will be something - maybe a 3D version of the 500 parsecs map that you can at least walk around but I'm not sure.

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Galaxy Map @galaxymap.bsky.social · 2d

I would love to see Endgame and Happy Days in the theatre as well.

Galaxy Map @galaxymap.bsky.social · 2d

A puzzling comment though. I've seen Waiting for Godot and I found it alternatingly hilarious and cosmically thought provoking. Entertaining all the way through. Apparently this person has a very different concept of entertainment.

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Galaxy Map @galaxymap.bsky.social · 2d

I helped the AI a bit by specifying that the nebulae needed to be red or blue. I dislike those computer-generated rainbow coloured nebulae you often see online.

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Galaxy Map @galaxymap.bsky.social · 2d

The exoplanet image is from NASA and I superimposed that.

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Galaxy Map @galaxymap.bsky.social · 2d

I'm not a fan of AI but the Meta avatar clothing system has an AI design feature so I thought that I'd give it a spin. It doesn't know much about astronomy and terms like "dust cloud", "spiral arm" and "gas giant" caused it to give up immediately. It does pretty star and nebulae backgrounds though.

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Galaxy Map @galaxymap.bsky.social · 2d

Meta now provides tools to create and sell avatar clothing, so I thought why not? My first top. Now trying to figure out how to open a clothing store in my Star Central world.

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Galaxy Map @galaxymap.bsky.social · 3d

Star Central under development.

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Galaxy Map @galaxymap.bsky.social · 3d

I'm working on a huge VR astronomy world for Horizon Worlds and there are many maps (and a Star Cinema, and starships to travel the galaxy, and meeting space, and a cafe and ... much more).

I am redoing my maps to put the galactic centre towards the top for this VR app. Here is a revised 10 pc map.

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Galaxy Map @galaxymap.bsky.social · 10d

I think Canada might be closer to what you are looking for. Other than perhaps Alberta, it doesn't have the weird religious fervour seen in the United States or the entrenched class differences of the UK. Pierre Poilievre has been way more successful in whipping up hatred than I expected though ...

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Reposted by Galaxy Map

Emily Hunt @emily.space · Sep 6

bluesky hive mind: is this unhinged conference poster design actually any good?

I really want to make something eye-catching that's not just the normal black-text-on-white-background, so I turned the entire background into the main figure

still needs layout, text, & figure work, but basic concept:

A science poster titled "We will never find most open clusters". The background of the poster is an artist's impression of the Milky Way.

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