Reaching for the stars with SAS Visual Analytics

 



In the vast expanse of the cosmos, beyond our earthly boundaries, lies a celestial ballet of stars waiting to be explored. In this blog post, they delve into an unconventional use of SAS Visual Analytics to create a nighttime star chart using data from the Hipparcos-2 catalogue released by the European Space Agency (ESA) in 1997.

Data:

The cornerstone of any visual analytics endeavor is the data itself. The Hipparcos-2 catalogue, boasting high accuracies for stars brighter than magnitude Hp=8, provides a rich dataset for our exploration. The dataset includes crucial information such as right ascension and declination, the celestial equivalents of longitude and latitude, offering a unique perspective on star locations.


Visualization:

To bring these celestial coordinates to life, SAS Visual Analytics steps in. Leveraging its capabilities, we transform right ascension (measured in hours, minutes, and seconds) and declination (measured in degrees, minutes, and seconds) into a visually engaging representation. The use of Esri maps, based on the North Pole and South Pole Stereographic projection, ensures an accurate portrayal of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.


Knowledge:

Our journey into the cosmos is not merely about presenting starry visuals; it's about gaining insights and knowledge. As we navigate through the data, we unravel the mysteries of the celestial sphere. Understanding the intricacies of right ascension, declination, and their earthly counterparts broadens our comprehension of the cosmic dance captured by the Hipparcos-2 satellite.


Models:

In the realm of visual analytics, models play a crucial role in interpreting and predicting patterns. In our exploration, the model involves translating the unique coordinate systems of the celestial sphere into relatable maps. The Esri maps, along with the North Pole and South Pole Stereographic projection, act as models that bridge the gap between the abstract coordinates and our familiar geographical understanding.


https://communities.sas.com/t5/SAS-Visual-Analytics-Gallery/Reaching-for-the-stars-with-SAS-Visual-Analytics/ta-p/810063

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