Affordable Immersive Visualization of Astronomical Data

Visualizing data was always an important step to explore complex data sets. Since data is stored in catalogs, scientists developed tools to understand correlations, distributions, relations, etc. in the data. Diagnostic diagrams (e.g. the HR-diagram) still play an important role in astronomy and help to understand physical properties. In many cases, high-dimensional data is projected to a two dimensional plane in order to be inspected. Simulation data is often visualized through a movie giving a 3D rendering but without interaction. In the past, very expensive visualization projects developed dedicated tools, like high resolution hyper-walls at super-computing centers for inspecting large data-sets as well as projected stereoscopic data cubes or heavy headset solutions for three dimensional data experiences. In recent years, developments like the Oculus Rift or Google cardboard made immersive three dimensional visualization affordable for everyone. In this BoF our aim was to discuss with the attendees these possibilities. We have presented low cost visualization projects carried out at CDS and HITS. Public outreach as well as student training are other aspects we had discussed. Is it worth developing new tools, or is it just geeky and a simple screen is still the best? That was one of the questions!