Journal of
Media and Communication Studies

  • Abbreviation: J. Media Commun. Stud.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2545
  • DOI: 10.5897/JMCS
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 236

Full Length Research Paper

Is That Real? Understanding Astronomical Images

Lisa F. Smith
  • Lisa F. Smith
  • University of Otago, College of Education, 145 Union Street East Dunedin 9054 New Zealand.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Kimberly K. Arcand*
  • Kimberly K. Arcand*
  • Visualization Lead Chandra X-ray Center/Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory 60 Garden Street, MS 70, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Jeffrey K. Smith
  • Jeffrey K. Smith
  • University of Otago, College of Education, 145 Union Street East Dunedin 9054 New Zealand.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Randall K. Smith
  • Randall K. Smith
  • Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics 60 Garden Street, MS 70,Cambridge, MA 02138 USA.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Jay Bookbinder
  • Jay Bookbinder
  • Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics 60 Garden Street, MS 70,Cambridge, MA 02138 USA.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 13 May 2015
  •  Accepted: 10 July 2015
  •  Published: 31 July 2015

Abstract

This study examined what is believed to be “real” in images and how people – particularly non-experts – respond to and understand information that astronomical images attempt to convey. A convenience sample of 1,956 responded to an online survey created for this research. Results indicated that belief in the veracity of astronomical images is normally distributed, with males somewhat more unconvinced than females. No significant differences were shown across age groups, levels of education, background in astronomy, and self-rating of knowledge in astronomy. An open-ended item soliciting questions for a science image expert yielded five primary categories of responses: color, veracity, “The Five W” questions, technical questions, and comments or questions related to the aesthetics of the image. By far, the majority of questions and comments are related to color. Results are discussed in terms of the need for more education regarding science communication and for using technology to increase public understanding and comprehension of images related to astronomy and other issues in science.

Key words: Astronomical images, images as truth, science communication, processed color.

Copyright © 2025 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

Back to Vol. 7 No. 5
Back to articles
SUBSCRIBE TO RSS
SUBMIT MANUSCRIPT
CONFERENCES