A planetarium for the brain

Tyler Sloan's groundbreaking film, a project spanning over a decade, offers viewers an immersive exploration of the brain. The journey began with a casual encounter at a Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory meeting more than a decade ago. A scientist on the spot presented Sloan with a 3D video showcasing the neuron connections in a tissue-cleared embryo spinal cord, sparking the idea of bringing such visualizations to planetarium domes.

Inspired by the captivating public engagement seen in astronomy screenings at planetariums, Sloan aimed to create awe-inspiring experiences about the brain using these advanced video techniques. After learning 3D animation and leaving his academic position to launch his own company, Sloan finally realized his dream with a planetarium film that debuted during the BrainFest event in Seattle.

Plans are underway to showcase the film at other venues, including the annual meeting of Neuroscience Academy Denmark in November. Sloan aspires for the film to be accessible to planetariums worldwide, ideally for free distribution. In an interview, he highlights the importance of conveying a sense of wonder about the brain similar to that evoked by astrophysicists' public outreach efforts.

Sloan believes this can be achieved by creating awe-inspiring visuals of the brain's complexity, just as the cosmos has captivated audiences for years. He emphasizes that engaging people through compelling visuals of the brain is possible, given the same attention and artistry dedicated to public understanding of astronomy.