Ka Chun Yu, PhD

Curator of Space Science
PhD, 2000, University of Colorado at Boulder
303.370.6394
kachun.yu@dmns.org

Dr. Yu received his PhD at the University of Colorado in Boulder in 2000. He joined the Museum in January 2001 as part of the scientific visualization team tasked to create the Cosmic Atlas software, a real-time 3-D visual simulation of the known universe. The software running in the state-of-the-art computer and projection system at the Gates Planetarium replaces the traditional optical-mechanical starball, and was used to generate nearly all of the visuals in the opening show, Cosmic Journey.

Dr. Yu is still involved in the planetarium's continuing evolution, including working closely with the developers of Uniview, the replacement for Cosmic Atlas, to maximize its effectiveness for both formal and informal learning, in immersive settings like digital planetariums as well as regular classrooms. He is also involved in developing a virtual reality presentation tool, that is designed for immersive lectures in scientific and cultural disciplines. He continues to work on planetarium shows (such as the recent DMNS-produced Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity) and special events in Gates Planetarium, including talks involving non-astronomical topics and multimedia performances with musicians and video artists.

Dr. Yu’s current research involves evaluating the use of immersive virtual environments, like digital planetariums, for teaching astronomical topics more effectively than traditional pedagogy. His previous work was primarily on observational star formation, specifically studying outflows from protostars. He has been involved in observational programs using the Hubble Space Telescope, as well as ground-based optical, infrared, and radio observatories around the world.

• Dr. Yu’s Curriculum Vitae (PDF | 145KB)

• Evaluating Astronomy Learning in Immersive Virtual Environments (ALIVE) 

Neafus, D. & Yu, K.C., 2007, "Performing and Visual Arts, the Sciences: Visualization Brings Them Together at the Gates Planetarium", The Planetarian, 36(3)

Yu, K.C., Williams, K., Neafus, D., Gaston, L., & Downing, G., 2007, “Gaia Journeys: A Museum-based Immersive Performance Exploration of the Earth,” Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Digital Earth, June 5-9, 2007.

Yu, K.C., Brownell, M., Schoemer, J., Neafus, D., Lucas, T., & Zager, Z., 2007, “Live Action Film Footage for an Astronomy Fulldome Show,” The Planetarian, 36(1), pp. 6-17, 86-87.

Yu, K.C., 2005, “Digital Full-Domes: The Future of Virtual Astronomy Education,” The Planetarian, 34(3), pp. 6-11.

Reipurth, B., Yu, K.C., Moriarty-Schieven, G., Bally, J., Aspin, C., and Heathcote, S., 2004, “Deep Imaging Surveys of Star-forming Clouds. I. New Herbig-Haro Flows in NGC 2264,” Astronomical Journal, 127, pp. 1069-1080.