Robert Hurt (Caltech/IPAC): "When Data Is Not Enough: Illustrating Astrophysics for the Public"

Astronomy is a science that easily captures the interest and imagination of the public in no small part due to the sublime beauty of its spectrum- spanning imagery. And yet, the data underlying many significant science results is often only visually meaningful to a particular research community. Because of this, effective public-facing communication frequently relies on science-motivated illustrations to both engage audiences and provide key visual context for better understanding results in a press release, museum exhibit, or website. This talk will present methodologies we have found most effective in balancing scientific, educational, and aesthetic concerns when developing meaningful art.