From Sputnik To Twitter, The History Of Science Communication

“Um, so I’m Lucianne and I’m an astronomer and I’m here to answer any questions you might have. We can talk about, uh, really whatever you want to talk about.”

“Cool, you’re an astronomer??”

Astrophysicist Lucianne Walkowicz, before COVID time, would spend an occasional hour at the Space Visualization Lab at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago. The lab is filled with displays of space images, videos, and interactive displays, all connected to a tablet that the presenting scientist can change easily. Think of it as a dynamic exhibit.

In this lab, every day, different scientists come and engage in “Astronomy Conversations.” Audiences ask questions and can sometimes determine the path of the conversation. The lab is designed to work for different interests and needs. Some attendees walk around the lab while the scientist is speaking, watch a 3D display of a galaxy; others touch a 3D printed model of a nebula, and some listen to the sound, played from a speaker, of two black holes merging.