Prof Bock visited the University of the Free State (UFS) to share his expertise with staff and students involved in presenting and providing IT support at the Naval Hill Planetarium. From 27 to 31 January 2025, he led an intensive five-day workshop on OpenSpace, a free and open-source visualisation software designed to represent data about the known universe. “In this context, we can refer to OpenSpace as ‘astrovisualisation’ software,” he explained.
His visit was made possible through a grant awarded to the UFS by the US Embassy in 2024 for the Space and Satellites: Awareness and Observations project. Prof Bock is also affiliated with the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York, which has supported the Naval Hill Planetarium since its inception by providing high-quality, pre-rendered full-dome films. It was through this collaboration with AMNH that the UFS colleagues connected with him.
Originally developed as a research initiative, OpenSpace has since evolved into a powerful tool for science visualisation and public engagement, led by Linköping University in partnership with AMNH. During the workshop, UFS students and planetarium presenters learned to use the software to create and showcase new content for the planetarium.
What makes OpenSpace unique is its ability to project research data directly from a PC onto large screens and even onto the planetarium dome. This feature makes it an invaluable tool for communicating complex scientific concepts to a broad audience, including researchers, students, and the general public.
Beyond astronomy, OpenSpace has been used in various scientific fields, such as molecular dynamics and evolutionary genetics. Prof Bock highlighted its potential to foster collaboration across disciplines, emphasising that the software is open-source and can be expanded by developers worldwide. “All it needs is programmers!” he remarked, encouraging broader participation in its development.
By offering OpenSpace free of charge, Prof Bock and his team aim to promote science visualisation, enhance STEM education, and support outreach initiatives. The Naval Hill Planetarium is now set to become the first fixed planetarium in the Southern Hemisphere to use OpenSpace, bringing the cosmos to life for South African audiences.
UFS staff and students have already started experimenting with the software, and one of the first OpenSpace-powered shows at the planetarium will illustrate the dramatic rise in the number of satellites and space debris over the past decade. This marks an exciting step forward in using technology to bridge the gap between research and public engagement in astronomy.
Republished with permission of University of the Free State (UFS), Jaqueline Fuller
His visit was made possible through a grant awarded to the UFS by the US Embassy in 2024 for the Space and Satellites: Awareness and Observations project. Prof Bock is also affiliated with the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New York, which has supported the Naval Hill Planetarium since its inception by providing high-quality, pre-rendered full-dome films. It was through this collaboration with AMNH that the UFS colleagues connected with him.
Originally developed as a research initiative, OpenSpace has since evolved into a powerful tool for science visualisation and public engagement, led by Linköping University in partnership with AMNH. During the workshop, UFS students and planetarium presenters learned to use the software to create and showcase new content for the planetarium.
What makes OpenSpace unique is its ability to project research data directly from a PC onto large screens and even onto the planetarium dome. This feature makes it an invaluable tool for communicating complex scientific concepts to a broad audience, including researchers, students, and the general public.
Beyond astronomy, OpenSpace has been used in various scientific fields, such as molecular dynamics and evolutionary genetics. Prof Bock highlighted its potential to foster collaboration across disciplines, emphasising that the software is open-source and can be expanded by developers worldwide. “All it needs is programmers!” he remarked, encouraging broader participation in its development.
By offering OpenSpace free of charge, Prof Bock and his team aim to promote science visualisation, enhance STEM education, and support outreach initiatives. The Naval Hill Planetarium is now set to become the first fixed planetarium in the Southern Hemisphere to use OpenSpace, bringing the cosmos to life for South African audiences.
UFS staff and students have already started experimenting with the software, and one of the first OpenSpace-powered shows at the planetarium will illustrate the dramatic rise in the number of satellites and space debris over the past decade. This marks an exciting step forward in using technology to bridge the gap between research and public engagement in astronomy.
Republished with permission of University of the Free State (UFS), Jaqueline Fuller
