Interactive Narrative Content and Context for Visualization Curtis Wong Group Manager Next Media Research Microsoft Research Visualization of Astrophysical Data: Bringing together Science, Art & Education

Overview 5 min - Conceptual overview of Interactive narrative 5 min - Leonardo da Vinci – Context and Visualization 5 min - Commanding Heights – Enhanced broadband TV 5 min - Interactive Universe – Extensible narrative 10 min General Q & A

Overview Interactive Narrative How do we make astronomical visualization even more effective for research, education and public outreach? Backstory – one person’s journey to understanding  Leonardo da Vinci, Codex Hammer 1980  Voyager, Criterion Collection 1990  Continuum, 1995

The three layered cake Story The opening hook - Why should I care? Layered narrative Sets the stage and provides enough background to enable exploration Contextual Exploration Visualization WITH narrative “what’s going on” Interactive  In context explanation  Links to related contextual data  Links back to stories Simulation – user driven with explanation of what’s going on Resources Original data/documents Ability to draw their own conclusions Links out to related resources

Leonardo da Vinci

The Architecture of Leonardo da Vinci Exploration and context – circa 1997 Story Web Page Information Pre-title Background Renaissance Leonardo’s Life Treatise on Nature Interactive Exhibits – water, light, the heavens Paintings – Spatial contextual presentation Timeline – paintings and historical context Original source documents Context & Visualization Mind of the Master Codex Leicester – Contextual translation Water Earth Heavens

Commanding Heights The Battle for the World Economy "This site takes a blue chip TV series and uses broadband to push forward the boundaries of programme extension. Every element from the original series is available, but fascinatingly accessible in ways that can only be achieved online. The content, navigation and design are impeccable. The potential dry subject of globalisation is brought powerfully to life, and the learning journeys are directly under the user's control. This is a milestone in the development of broadband content." - British Academy of Film and Television Arts

Commanding Heights Architecture Program proposal excerpt:

Interactive Universe A framework for an extensible engagement, exploration and education of topics in Astronomy

Extensible Architecture Closely coupled/tightly integrated 1. Story – Engagement Accessible layered stories Basic astronomy to current areas of research Layered to enable beginners to engage Short narratives of areas of current research linked to: Linked to layers below 2. Context – Visualization and exploration Interactive sky maps (size/location et al context) Rich simulation and visualizations with links up/down to Story and Reference 3. Reference – Object catalog & source database Visual object catalog enable browsing and pivoting by similarity Original source data Story Sky Catalog Story (s) Context Reference

Story mode Stellar Evolution Story Nebula Story mentions gravitational condensation of proto- stars from hydrogen and galactic dust And links to related content appears below Clicking on the related link below takes you to the object in context of the sky

Sky mode Stellar Evolution Sky Nebula

Context – How big/far away is it? Sky Illustrating the context of apparent scale and spatial location in comparison to common reference objects: trees, houses, moon etc. Nebula

Reference Catalog Catalog

Reference Catalog Catalog

Conceptual Navigation Architecture Sky Server Terabyte database Image Catalog Zooming Annotated Sky maps Story Module e.g. Galaxy formation Story Context Source Docs

Conceptual Navigation Architecture Sky Server Terabyte database Image Catalog Zooming Annotated Sky maps Story Module e.g. Galaxy formation Additional linked stories e.g. Supernova expansion structure Story Context Source Docs Story

Opportunity Build an Integrated learning prototype 1. Extensible story based framework 2. Stories closely linked INTO visualizations, simulations and contextual resources 3. Built on top of a rich database

The dream scenario… Integrated learning prototype 1. Rich visual stories from Astro 101 core to latest topics in astronomy 1. Television documentaries 2. Illustrated lectures 3. Other narratives 2. Rich contextual resources linked in 1. Interactive simulations 2. National Virtual Observatory 3. Interactive Atlas of the Universe 4. Digital Universe 3. Built on top of a rich database 1. Which takes advantage of a existing rich database 1. Deep resource materials 2. Linking of domains specific reference data 3. Tie simulation to story and reference 4. Accessible links to real data So any kid can engage with the stories, get drawn in and explore topics of interest and dive deeply to make their own discoveries working with real data.