Interactive Exploration of HACC Cosmology Data using WebXR
This project introduces an interactive, web-based 3D data viewer specifically designed for the analysis of large-scale scientific cosmological datasets. The OpenCosmo Compute Portal [1], developed by Argonne National Laboratory’s Cosmological Physics and Advanced Computing group, provides easy access to cosmological simulations. Adding advanced visualization capabilities, such as those offered by this viewer, would significantly enhance the portal’s utility, allowing a broader audience to gain deeper insights into queried datasets without needing to build their own visualization tools.We address the critical need to democratize access to advanced scientific visualization, particularly for researchers who aren’t visualization experts. Leveraging modern web technologies, our viewer provides a fluid and responsive environment for exploring complex point cloud data. Key features include customizable visual properties, interactive selection, and robust state management, all accessible directly within a web browser, or virtual reality headset, if available.
Authors
- Michael E. Papka (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6418-5767)
- Janet Knowles (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0751-2531)
- Mengjiao Han (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5590-1832)
- Victor A. Mateevitsi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6677-7520)
- Silvio Rizzi
- Joseph A. Insley (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6955-869X)
- Idunnuoluwa A. Adeniji
Institutions
- Argonne National Laboratory (US)
Publication Details
- Published
- 2025-09-15
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1109/escience65000.2025.00044
- Primary Topic
- Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00