Habitable Zones: We Live in the Milky Way (2023)

These remarkable microorganisms, known for their intricate and diverse shapes, add a touch of celestial wonder to the cosmic tapestry. Their presence pays homage to the intricate beauty of life on Earth and serves as a reminder of the universe’s interconnectedness, where even the tiniest organisms find a place in the grand expanse of space.

24 in. x 48 in. print created from a live feed of pictures, taken by an *Imaging FlowCybot (IFCB) of diatoms and dinoflagellates in the Pacific Ocean, collaged onto a 360° Panorama of the Milky Way by ESO/S. Brunier GigaGalaxy Zoom project, to imagine silica remnants of an algal bloom in space.

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Included in a group exhibition,” From the Gap to the Stars: Microscopic Life in the Universe, Rio Centro Universitario. Escorial – María Cristina and NASA-Robledo de Chavela Space Station, Madrid Spain, August 31 to September 4, 2023

*The Imaging FlowCytobot is an in-situ automated submersible imaging flow cytometer that generates images of particles in flow from the aquatic environment. Parker used the IFCB in Professor Kudela’s Lab to create drawings based on dinoflagellates found in the Eastern Pacific Ocean coastal region—special thanks to Karina Molina, OpenLab intern, for outlining the image data set.