Exploring and interrogating astrophysical data in virtual reality

Scientists across all disciplines increasingly rely on machine learning algorithms to analyse and sort datasets of ever increasing volume complexity. Although trends outliers are easily extracted, careful close inspection will still be necessary explore disentangle detailed behaviour, as well identify systematics false positives. We must therefore incorporate new technologies facilitate scientific analysis exploration. Astrophysical data is inherently multi-parameter, with the spatial-kinematic dimensions at core observations simulations. The arrival mainstream virtual-reality (VR) headsets increased GPU power, availability versatile development tools for video games, has enabled scientists deploy such technology effectively interrogate interact complex data. In this paper we present results from custom-built interactive VR tools, called iDaVIE suite, that informed driven by research galaxy evolution, cosmic large-scale structure, galaxy–galaxy interactions, gas/kinematics nearby galaxies in survey targeted observations. era Big Data ushered major facilities SKA LSST render past refinement methods highly constrained, believe a paradigm shift software, exploit power visual perception, play an important role bridging gap between statistical metrics discovery. have released beta version software system free open community.