Seeing the Unseen: Accurate and Inclusive Colour Scales in Space Science

In the vast landscape of scientific data, colour serves as a golden key to its comprehension. From the depths of the cosmos to the intricacies of elementary particles, the deliberate use of colour in scientific visualisation enriches our understanding and enables us to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the natural world.

As of today, scientific visualisation is rarely part of the obligatory curriculum of an upcoming space scientist. In terms of colour use, the space science community therefore swings back and forth between self-educated science-proof application and peer-endorsed misuse. When misused, data visualisation can exclude readers or misguide them. In the worst case, it does both.

From the properties of the light source to the ultimate recognition in the visual cortex, the study of human colour perception is extensive and has a long history. Creating accessible and accurate scientific visualisation with colour has, in contrast, become easy: All necessary aspects are understood; all necessary tools exist.

The speaker will provide you with the basic understanding to use—and not misuse—colour for visualising everything from the Cosmic microwave background to the surface topography of Mars. Pioneering science-proof colour palettes and gradients are now made available in great numbers to conquer space science research and communication. To avoid shortage of supplies, the speaker will also introduce you to the newest version of the Scientific colour maps and when to apply their different palette and gradient types.