Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Stereo pairs in Astrophysics

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Astrophysics and Space Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Stereoscopic visualization is seldom used in Astrophysical publications and presentations compared to other scientific fields, e.g., Biochemistry, where it has been recognized as a valuable tool for decades. We put forth the view that stereo pairs can be a useful tool for the Astrophysics community in communicating a truer representation of astrophysical data. Here, we review the main theoretical aspects of stereoscopy, and present a tutorial to easily create stereo pairs using Python. We then describe how stereo pairs provide a way to incorporate 3D data in 2D publications of standard journals. We illustrate the use of stereo pairs with one conceptual and two Astrophysical science examples: an integral field spectroscopy study of a supernova remnant, and numerical simulations of a relativistic AGN jet. We also use these examples to make the case that stereo pairs are not merely an ostentatious way to present data, but an enhancement in the communication of scientific results in publications because they provide the reader with a realistic view of multi-dimensional data, be it of observational or theoretical nature. In recognition of the ongoing 3D expansion in the commercial sector, we advocate an increased use of stereo pairs in Astrophysics publications and presentations as a first step towards new interactive and multi-dimensional publication methods.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ackermann, G.K., Eichler, J.: Holography: A Practical Approach. Wiley-VCH, Weinheim (2007)

    Google Scholar 

  • Barker, H.W., Wiellicki, B.A., Parker, L.: A parametrization for computing grid-averaged solar fluxes for inhomogeneous marine boundary layer clouds. Part II: validation using satellite data. J. Atmos. Sci. 53, 2304–2316 (1996)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Barnes, D.G., Fluke, C.J.: Incorporating interactive three-dimensional graphics in astronomy research papers. New Astron. 13, 599–605 (2008)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Barnes, D.G., Fluke, C.J., Bourke, P.D., Parry, O.T.: An advanced, three-dimensional plotting library for astronomy. Publ. Astron. Soc. Aust. 23, 82–93 (2006)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Berry, C., Baker, M.D.: Inside protein structures, teaching in three dimensions. Biochem. Mol. Biol. Educ. 38, 425–429 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bicknell, G.V.: A model for the surface brightness of a turbulent low Mach number jet. I—Theoretical development and application to 3C 31. Astrophys. J. 286, 68–87 (1984)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Blondin, J.M., Mezzacappa, A., DeMarina, C.: Stability of standing accretion shocks, with an eye towards core-collapse supernovae. Astrophys. J. 584, 971–980 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Darrah, W.C.: The World of Stereographs. Land Yacht Press, Nashville (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dodgson, N.A.: Variation and extrema of the human interpupillary distance. In: Stereoscopic Displays and Virtual Reality Systems XI. Proc. SPIE, vol. 5291, pp. 36–46. SPIE Press, Bellingham (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dopita, M., Hart, J., McGregor, P., Oates, P., Bloxham, G., Jones, D.: The Wide Field Spectrograph (WiFeS). Astrophys. Space Sci. 310, 255–268 (2007)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Dopita, M., Rhee, J., Farage, C., McGregor, P., Bloxham, G., Green, A., Roberts, B., Nielson, J., Wilson, G., Young, P., Firth, P., Busarello, G., Merluzzi, P.: The Wide Field Spectrograph (WiFeS): performance and data reduction. Astrophys. Space Sci. 327, 245–257 (2010)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Federrath, C., Klessen, R.S., Schmidt, W.: The fractal density structure in supersonic isothermal turbulence: solenoidal versus compressive energy injection. Astrophys. J. 692, 364–374 (2009)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Fenn, J., Raskino, M.: Mastering the Hype Cycle; How to Choose the Right Innovation at the Right Time. Harvard Business Press, Boston (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fryxell, B., Olson, K., Ricker, P., Timmes, F.X., Zingale, M., Lamb, D.Q., MacNeice, P., Rosner, R., Truran, J.W., Tufo, H.: FLASH: an adaptive mesh hydrodynamics code for modeling astrophysical thermonuclear flashes. Astrophys. J. Suppl. Ser. 131, 273–334 (2000)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Fluke, C.J., Bourke, P.D., O’Donovan, D.: Future directions in astronomy visualization. Publ. Astron. Soc. Aust. 23, 12–24 (2006)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton, W.C.: The revolution in crystallography. Science 169, 133–141 (1970)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Hardman, K.D., Ainswort, C.F.: Binding of nonpolar molecules by crystalline concanavalin-A. Biochemistry 12, 4442–4448 (1973)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayman, H.J.G.: The mounting of stereo slides for projecting molecular models. J. Chem. Educ. 64, 1041–1042 (1987)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holliman, N.: Cosmic origins: experiences making a stereoscopic 3D movie. In: Stereoscopic Displays and Applications XXI. Proc. SPIE, vol. 7524. SPIE Press, Bellingham (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  • Icke, V., van de Weygaert, R.: The galaxy distribution as a Voronoi foam. Q. J. R. Astron. Soc. 32, 85–112 (1991)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Jaumann, R., Neukum, G., Behnke, T., Duxbury, T.C., Eichentopf, K., Flohrer, J., Gasselt, S.V., Giese, B., Gwinner, K., Hauber, E., Hoffmann, H., Hoffmeister, A., Köhler, U., Matz, K.-D., McCord, T.B., Mertens, V., Oberst, J., Pischel, R., Reiss, D., Ress, E., Roatsch, T., Saiger, P., Scholten, F., Schwarz, G., Stephan, K., Wählisch, M.: The HRSC Co-Investigator Team1: the high-resolution stereo camera (HRSC) experiment on Mars Express: Instrument aspects and experiment conduct from interplanetary cruise through the nominal mission. Planet. Space Sci. 55, 928–952 (2007)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Keszthelyi, L., Jaeger, W., McEwen, A., Tornabene, L., Beyer, R.A., Dundas, C., Milazzo, M.: High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) images of volcanic terrains from the first 6 months of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Primary Science Phase. J. Geophys. Res. 113, 4005 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koutchmy, S. Molodenskii, M.M.: Three-dimensional image of the solar corona from white-light observations of the 1991 eclipse. Nature 360, 717–719 (1992)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Landsberg, M.J., Moran-Jones, K., Smith, R.: Molecular recognition of an RNA trafficking element by heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2. Biochemistry 45, 3943–3951 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lasker, B.M.: Studies of N132 D—a supernova remnant in the LMC. II—The rapidly moving material. Astrophys. J. 237, 765–768 (1980)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Lemmon, M.T., Smith, P.H., Shinohara, C., Tanner, R., Woida, P., Shaw, A., Hughes, J., Reynolds, R., Woida, R., Penegor, J., Oquest, C., Hviid, S.F., Madsen, M.B., Olsen, M., Leer, K., Drube, L., Morris, R.V., Britt, D.T.: The Phoenix Surface Stereo Imager (SSI) investigation. Lunar Planet. Inst. Sci. Conf. Abstr. 39, 2156 (2008)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, G.M., Austin, P.H.: An iterative method for generating scaling log-normal simulations. In: 11th Conference on Atmospheric Radiation, pp. 123–126 (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  • Martinet, L., Magnenat, P.: Invariant surfaces and orbital behaviour in dynamical systems with 3 degrees of freedom. Astron. Astrophys. 96, 68–77 (1981)

    MATH  ADS  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Martinet, L., Magnenat, P., Verhulst, F.: On the number of isolating integrals in resonant systems with 3-degrees of freedom. Celest. Mech. 25, 93–99 (1981)

    Article  MATH  ADS  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • McEwen, A.S., Eliason, E.M., Bergstrom, J.W., Bridges, N.T., Hansen, C.J., Delamere, W.A., Grant, J.A., Gulick, V.C., Herkenhoff, K.E., Keszthelyi, L., Kirk, R.L., Mellon, M.T., Squyres, S.W., Thomas, N., Weitz, C.M.: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter’s High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE). J. Geophys. Res. 112, 5 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morse, J.A., Winkler, P.F., Kirshner, R.P.: Spatially resolved kinematics and longslit spectroscopy of the young, oxygen-rich supernova remnant N132D in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Astron. J. 109, 2104 (1995)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Neukum, G., Jaumann, R., Hoffmann, H., Hauber, E., Head, J.W., Basilevsky, A.T., Ivanov, B.A., Werner, S.C., van Gasselt, S., Murray, J.B., McCord, T.: HRSC Co-Investigator Team: recent and episodic volcanic and glacial activity on Mars revealed by the high resolution stereo camera. Nature 432, 971–979 (2004)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Norling, J.A.: The stereoscopic art—a reprint. J. Soc. Motion Pict. Telev. Eng. 60, 268–308 (1953)

    Google Scholar 

  • Okoshi, T.: Three-Dimensional Imaging Techniques. Academic Press, New York (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Onural, L., Sikora, T., Ostermann, J., Smolic, A., Civanlar, M.R., Watson, J.: An assessment of 3DTV technologies. In: NAB BEC Proceedings, pp. 456–467 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  • Perrier, G.: Le Centenaire de Niepce. L’Astronomie 48, 77–86 (1934)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Peterka, T., Ross, R., Yu, H., Ma, K., Kooima, R., Girado, J.: Autostereoscopic Display of Large-Scale Scientific Visualization. In: Stereoscopic Displays and Applications XX. Proc. SPIE, vol. 7237. SPIE Press, Bellingham (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pujadas, G., Palau, J.: Molecular mimicry of substrate oxygen atoms by water molecules in the β-amylase active site. Protein Sci. 10, 1645–1657 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rhee, G.F.R.N., van Haarlem, M.P., Katgert, P.: A study of the elongation of Abell clusters. II—a sample of 107 rich clusters. Astron. Astrophys. Suppl. Ser. 91, 513–554 (1991)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, T.: Making stereo pair views with molecular editor. J. Chem. Educ. 66, A62 (1989)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saxton, C.J., Bicknell, G.V., Sutherland, R.S., Midgley, S.: Interactions of jets with inhomogeneous cloudy media. Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 359, 781–800 (2005)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Scripture, E.W.: Anaglyphs and stereoscopic projection. Science 10, 185–187 (1899)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Selman, F., Melnick, J., Bosch, G., Terlevich, R.: The ionizing cluster of 30 Doradus. I. Internal reddening from NTT photometry and multi-object spectroscopy. Astron. Astrophys. 341, 98–109 (1999a)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Selman, F., Melnick, J., Bosch, G., Terlevich, R.: The ionizing cluster of 30 Doradus. III. Star-formation history and initial mass function. Astron. Astrophys. 347, 532–549 (1999b)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharif, L., Sharif, N., Ahmed, M.: 3-D television. Int. J. Res. Rev. Inf. Sci. 1, 39–41 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sherman, W.R., O’Leary, P., Whiting, E.T., Grover, S., Wernert, E.A.: IQ-Station: a low cost portable immersive environment. In: Proceedings of the International Symposium on Visual Computing, vol. 2, pp. 361–372 (2010)

  • Sirko, E., Goodman, J., Knapp, G.R., Brinkmann, J., Ivezić, Ž., Knerr, E.J., Schlegel, D., Schneider, D.P., York, D.G.: Blue horizontal-branch stars in the sloan digital sky survey. I. Sample selection and structure in the Galactic Halo. Astron. J. 127, 899–913 (2004)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, I.: Stereoviewing: visual aids for stereochemistry and macromolecular structures. RIC Rev. 4, 19–33 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J.: The discoverer of photography. Nature 16, 501 (1877)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, H.M.: Principles of Holography. Wiley, New York (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, P.H., Tomasko, M.G., Britt, D., Crowe, D.G., Reid, R., Keller, H.U., Thomas, N., Gliem, F., Rueffer, P., Sullivan, R., Greeley, R., Knudsen, J.M., Madsen, M.B., Gunnlaugsson, H.P., Hviid, S.F., Goetz, W., Soderblom, L.A., Gaddis, L., Kirk, R.: The imager for Mars Pathfinder experiment. J. Geophys. Res. 102, 4003–4026 (1997)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Sofue, Y.: Fate of the Magellanic stream. Publ. Astron. Soc. Jpn. 46, 431–440 (1994)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Stockert, J.C.: Stereoscopy of computer-drawn molecular structures. Biochem. Educ. 22, 23–25 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sutherland, R.S., Bicknell, G.V.: Interactions of a light hypersonic jet with a nonuniform interstellar medium. Astrophys. J. Suppl. Ser. 173, 37–69 (2007)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Tyler, C.W., Clarke, M.B.: Autostereogram. In: SPIE Conference Series, vol. 1256, pp. 182–197. SPIE Press, Bellingham (1990)

  • van den Bergh, S.: The Magellanic Clouds, Past, Present and Future—A Summary of IAU Symposium No. 190. New Views Magellanic Clouds 190, 569 (1999)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • van de Weygaert, R., Icke, V.: Fragmenting the universe. II—Voronoi vertices as Abell clusters. Astron. Astrophys. 213, 1–9 (1989)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Vogt, F., Dopita, M.A.: The cas A-like SNR 1E 0102.2-7219 in the Small Magellanic Cloud: an asymmetric bipolar explosion. Astrophys. J. 721, 587–606 (2010)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Vogt, F., Dopita, M.A.: The 3D structure of N132D in the LMC: a late-stage young supernova remnant. Astrophys. Space Sci. 331, 521–535 (2011)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, A.Y., Bicknell, G.V.: Relativistic Jet Feedback in Evolving Galaxies. Astrophys. J. 728, 29 (2011)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Wheatstone, C.: Contributions to the physiology of vision. Part the first. On some remarkable, and hitherto unobserved, phenomena of binocular vision. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. Ser. A, Math. Phys. Sci. 128, 371–394 (1838)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Woods, A., Docherty, T., Koch, R.: Image distortions in stereoscopic video systems. In: Stereoscopic Displays and Applications IV. Proc. SPIE, vol. 1915, pp. 36–48. SPIE Press, Bellingham (1993)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xiang, K., Nagaike, T., Xiang, S., Turgay, K., Beh, M.M., Manley J.L., Tong L.: Crystal structure of the human symlekin-Ssu72-CTD phosphopeptide complex. Nature 467, 729–733 (2010)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Yahil, A., Sandage, A., Tammann, G.A.: The velocity field of bright nearby galaxies. III—the distribution in space of galaxies within 80 megaparsecs—the north galactic density anomaly. Astrophys. J. 242, 448–468 (1980)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • York, D.G., Adelman, J., Anderson Jr., J.E., Anderson, S.F., Annis, J., Bahcall, N.A., Bakken, J.A., Barkhouser, R., Bastian, S., Berman, E., Boroski, W.N., Bracker, S., Briegel, C., Briggs, J.W., Brinkmann, J., Brunner, R., Burles, S., Carey, L., Carr, M.A., Castander, F.J., Chen, B., Colestock, P.L., Connolly, A.J., Crocker, J.H., Csabai, I., Czarapata, P.C., Davis, J.E., Doi, M., Dombeck, T., Eisenstein, D., Ellman, N., Elms, B.R., Evans, M.L., Fan, X., Federwitz, G.R., Fiscelli, L., Friedman, S., Frieman, J.A., Fukugita, M., Gillespie, B., Gunn, J.E., Gurbani, V.K., de Haas, E., Haldeman, M., Harris, F.H., Hayes, J., Heckman, T.M., Hennessy, G.S., Hindsley, R.B., Holm, S., Holmgren, D.J., Huang, C.-h., Hull, C., Husby, D., Ichikawa, S.-I., Ichikawa, T., Ivezić, Ž., Kent, S., Kim, R.S.J., Kinney, E., Klaene, M., Kleinman, A.N., Kleinman, S., Knapp, G.R., Korienek, J., Kron, R.G., Kunszt, P.Z., Lamb, D.Q., Lee, B., Leger, R.F., Limmongkol, S., Lindenmeyer, C., Long, D.C., Loomis, C., Loveday, J., Lucinio, R., Lupton, R.H., MacKinnon, B., Mannery, E.J., Mantsch, P.M., Margon, B., McGehee, P., McKay, T.A., Meiksin, A., Merelli, A., Monet, D.G., Munn, J.A., Narayanan, V.K., Nash, T., Neilsen, E., Neswold, R., Newberg, H.J., Nichol, R.C., Nicinski, T., Nonino, M., Okada, N., Okamura, S., Ostriker, J.P., Owen, R., Pauls, A.G., Peoples, J., Peterson, R.L., Petravick, D., Pier, J.R., Pope, A., Pordes, R., Prosapio, A., Rechenmacher, R., Quinn, T.R., Richards, G.T., Richmond, M.W., Rivetta, C.H., Rockosi, C.M., Ruthmansdorfer, K., Sandford, D., Schlegel, D.J., Schneider, D.P., Sekiguchi, M., Sergey, G., Shimasaku, K., Siegmund, W.A., Smee, S., Smith, J.A., Snedden, S., Stone, R., Stoughton, C., Strauss, M.A., Stubbs, C., SubbaRao, M., Szalay, A.S., Szapudi, I., Szokoly, G.P., Thakar, A.R., Tremonti, C., Tucker, D.L., Uomoto, A., Vanden Berk, D., Vogeley, M.S., Waddell, P., Wang, S.-i., Watanabe, M., Weinberg, D.H., Yanny, B., Yasuda, N.: The sloan digital sky survey: technical summary. Astron. J. 120, 1579–1587 (2000)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Zone, R.: Stereoscopic Cinema and the Origins of 3-D Film, 1838–1952. The University Press of Kentucky, Lexington (2007)

    Book  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mount Stromlo and Siding Spring Observatories, Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Australian National University, Cotter Road, Weston Creek, ACT, 2611, Australia

    Frédéric Vogt & Alexander Y. Wagner

Authors
  1. Frédéric Vogt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alexander Y. Wagner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Frédéric Vogt.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Vogt, F., Wagner, A.Y. Stereo pairs in Astrophysics. Astrophys Space Sci 337, 79–92 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10509-011-0801-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10509-011-0801-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation