Bridging Art And Astronomy: A New Vision For Space Exploration
Jennifer Roberts, an art historian with a passion for outer space, is challenging the boundaries between science and the humanities. As the Drew Gilpin Faust Professor of the Humanities, Roberts is pioneering efforts to unite art scholars and astronomers to foster a greater understanding of our universe. She believes that images are not mere illustrations; they are vital tools that help interpret and shape our perception of cosmic revelations.
This year, Roberts plans to publish a study focusing on the first image sent from Mars in 1965. The image was unique not only because it was a digital creation but also because it was first visualized using pastels. The Mariner 4 probe's data was painstakingly colored by hand, transforming numerical data into a visual story. Roberts finds this blend of art and science fascinating, emphasizing the crucial role of visualization in scientific comprehension.
Roberts' interest in space began with Carl Sagan's 'Cosmos' series, and her work now spans a range of projects, including a book on the Voyager Golden Record, an artistic time capsule sent into space. She collaborates with artist Dario Robleto on this endeavor, exploring the emotional and scientific significance of sending art into the cosmos.
Images of space, especially those from NASA's Webb and Hubble telescopes, are meticulously crafted to interpret invisible data. These images shape our understanding of the cosmos, often making it seem more familiar than it is. Roberts highlights research by Elizabeth Kessler, who noted that such images are styled to resemble 19th-century landscapes, framing space as a new frontier.
Roberts warns against viewing space as merely a resource to be exploited, echoing past colonial narratives. She argues for a new era of space ethics and philosophy, where humanists play an integral role alongside scientists. Her aim is to shift the perception of space from a conquerable frontier to a shared ecosystem.
In her efforts to integrate these ideas into academia, Roberts has launched courses like 'Art and Science of the Moon' and 'Celestial Spheres', which encourage collaboration between scientists and humanists. She envisions space not as an empty void but as an ocean of possibilities, urging us to rethink our place within it.