An Astronomer Recreates Van Gogh's Starry Night Using Pictures of Galaxies
Wes Walcott — October 1, 2012 — Tech
References: dailymail
Using fancy computer mosaic-making software, PHD astronomy student Alex Harrison Parker produced a beautiful reproduction of Van Gogh's famous Starry Night painting composed entirely of images captured by the Hubble space telescope.
Parker, who specializes in studying asteroids and proto-planets, came up with the idea around the time of Hubble's 22nd birthday. He thought it would be interesting to put together a collage of spectacular images that Hubble has captured over the past 20 years. To make his art project, he first downloaded the top 100 pictures taken by Hubble and then used special Mosaic software to create his version of Van Gogh's Starry Night using pictures of actual stars.
Perhaps Parker was just looking for a constructive way to kill time on those cloudy nights that make astronomy difficult. "Observing can be all over the map -- you will be shut out by clouds on some nights, have to evacuate the mountain because of high winds and ice on other nights, and other times there isn't a moment to pause because you're taking data at such a high rate all night," said Parker in an interview with Discovery News.
Parker, who specializes in studying asteroids and proto-planets, came up with the idea around the time of Hubble's 22nd birthday. He thought it would be interesting to put together a collage of spectacular images that Hubble has captured over the past 20 years. To make his art project, he first downloaded the top 100 pictures taken by Hubble and then used special Mosaic software to create his version of Van Gogh's Starry Night using pictures of actual stars.
Perhaps Parker was just looking for a constructive way to kill time on those cloudy nights that make astronomy difficult. "Observing can be all over the map -- you will be shut out by clouds on some nights, have to evacuate the mountain because of high winds and ice on other nights, and other times there isn't a moment to pause because you're taking data at such a high rate all night," said Parker in an interview with Discovery News.
Trend Themes
1. Computer Mosaic-making Software - The trend of using computer mosaic-making software to create artwork offers disruptive innovation opportunities in the field of digital art and graphic design.
2. Using Images in Unconventional Ways - The trend of using images captured by technologies like the Hubble space telescope in unconventional ways, such as recreating famous paintings, presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the intersection of art and science.
3. Combining Astronomy and Art - The trend of combining astronomy and art, as demonstrated by recreating Van Gogh's Starry Night with pictures of galaxies, opens up disruptive innovation opportunities in the fields of astrophotography, visual storytelling, and art curation.
Industry Implications
1. Digital Art and Graphic Design - The digital art and graphic design industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities by leveraging computer mosaic-making software to create unique and stunning artwork.
2. Technology and Science - The intersection of technology and science industries, such as space exploration and astronomy, can explore disruptive innovation opportunities by finding new ways to utilize and interpret captured images from telescopes and other scientific instruments.
3. Art and Photography - The art and photography industries can embrace disruptive innovation opportunities by merging visual elements from multiple disciplines, like combining astronomy and art to create captivating and scientifically-inspired artwork.
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