When Data Is Not Enough: Illustrating Astrophysics for the Public

Astronomy is a science that easily captures the interest and imagination of the public in no small part due to the sublime beauty of its spectrum-spanning imagery. And yet, the data underlying many significant science results is often only visually meaningful to a particular research community. Because of this, effective public-facing communication frequently relies on science-motivated illustrations to both engage audiences and provide key visual context for better understanding results in a press release, museum exhibit, or website. This talk will present methodologies we have found most effective in balancing scientific, educational, and aesthetic concerns when developing meaningful art. Case studies will include Milky Way structure, black holes, and exoplanets.