Mark Subbarao leads NASA visualisation studio work
Hyderabad : A scientist of Telugu origin, Mark Subbarao, is leading key visualisation work at the United States space agency NASA. He has headed NASA’s Scientific Visualisation Studio for the past six years, converting complex scientific data into accessible visuals.
Scientist turns data into public-friendly visuals
His team compiles intricate data from NASA satellites and supercomputers and presents it as images and animations. These visuals help explain space phenomena to the public and showcase findings related to the universe.
Role in Artemis II astronaut training
Mark’s team is also involved in training astronauts selected for the Artemis II mission, NASA’s first crewed lunar mission since 1972. The mission is scheduled for launch at 3.54 am IST on Thursday.
Work on galaxy mapping earns recognition
He played a key role in developing a three-dimensional map of galaxies located billions of light years away. In recognition of his contribution, an asteroid has been named after him.
Mark Subbarao was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, to Subba Rao and Regina. He completed his high school education in Morristown, New Jersey. He said his interest in physics began early due to a scientific environment at home, as his father was a physicist.
He added that television programmes and books such as Carl Sagan’s Cosmos and Arthur C Clarke’s A Space Odyssey strengthened his interest in astronomy. Though he was interested in baseball during school, his academic inclination led him towards space science.
