Date: 20.05.2025

Paweł Frelik (ASC UW,PL)

Pixels and Planets: Intersecting Video Games and Planetary Sciences

Abstract:
This talk explores the dynamic and evolving intersections between the medium of video games and the fields of astronomy and planetary sciences. As interactive digital media, video games offer unique opportunities for scientific visualization, public engagement, and even data analysis. From procedurally generated exoplanets in _No Man’s Sky_ to the accurate orbital mechanics of _Kerbal Space Program_, games—both individual titles and entire sub-genres (such as planetary colonization games and space flight simulations)—have become platforms for informal education and conceptual experimentation in planetary science. The talk examines how game mechanics can simulate astrophysical phenomena, how immersive environments enhance public understanding of complex space systems, and how gaming technologies—such as real-time rendering engines and virtual reality—are being adapted for scientific research and communication.