Starry Starry Night with Roberta Olson, Jay Pasachoff, & Heather Berlin

The intersection of art and the universe has a rich history and continues to inspire new discoveries. Neil deGrasse Tyson, host of StarTalk, explored this topic with his co-host Chuck Nice, along with guests Jay Pasachoff, an astronomer and director of the Hopkins Observatory at Williams College, and Roberta Olsten, an art historian and co-author of several books with Jay. They discussed how art has depicted the universe throughout history, and how scientific discoveries have influenced artistic representations. Jay shared a personal story about how his investigation into the depiction of a comet in a painting led him to learn cometology and eventually publish an article in Scientific American. The group also touched on the importance of understanding the historical context of artistic depictions of the universe. Overall, the conversation highlighted the value of exploring the connections between science and art, and how they can inspire and inform each other.

Art and science have been interconnected throughout history, particularly when it comes to the exploration of the universe. This was evident in the collaboration between Roberta and Neil, who both found inspiration in Halley's Comet. In the 18th century, artists and astronomers were both describing what they saw in the heavens, with artists often using their observations as inspiration for their work. Before the invention of photography, astronomers relied on their drawing skills to record their observations. Comets, in particular, have been a source of fascination and speculation throughout history, inspiring both artists and scientists to explore the mysteries of the universe. The visual nature of both art and science makes them natural partners, with art serving as a symbolic representation of scientific discoveries and scientific observations providing inspiration for artistic creations.

The interpretation and artistic representation of cosmic phenomena, such as comets, have evolved significantly over time. In the early days, as discussed with Roberta and Neil, there were inaccurate depictions of comets in historical texts like the Nuremberg Chronicle. However, as technology advanced and accurate observations became possible, artists began to incorporate their unique perspectives, leading to more visually appealing and informative representations. For instance, the Hubble Space Telescope's public information division colorizes its photos in captivating ways, and soon, we'll have false color images from the James Webb Space Telescope. These artistic interpretations not only make the cosmic phenomena more visually appealing but also help in engaging the public and advancing scientific understanding.

The intersection of art and science in astronomy has a rich and fascinating history. From ancient civilizations like Babylon and Rome, where artists tried to capture what they saw in the night sky as symbols everyone could understand, to the Renaissance where artists began to express their personal feelings and interpretations of the universe, the history of astronomy and art is vast and full of symbolism and creativity. After the Enlightenment, artists and writers continued to use astronomical phenomena for subjective expression and satire, with the night sky serving as a source of wonder and fear before the invention of television and computers. The Victorian era saw a new level of detail and accuracy with the use of transparencies and kerosene lamps, and this new book, with its dozen chapters on various topics like eclipses, meteors, and comets, showcases hundreds of illustrations from throughout history. So, in essence, the history of astronomy and art is an endless source of inspiration and interpretation, reflecting the human desire to understand and express the mysteries of the universe.

Van Gogh's Starry Night stands out not only for its astronomical title but also for the fact that the night sky is the main focus of the painting, rather than just the background. Van Gogh, who was deeply fascinated by the universe, created several versions of this iconic work, some of which include identifiable astronomical features. Despite some inaccuracies, such as depicting a crescent moon when it was gibbous at the time, Van Gogh's artistic license allowed him to express his emotional connection to the cosmos through his art. The painting's enduring popularity attests to its ability to evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity about the universe, inspiring generations to look up and ponder the mysteries of the night sky.

Van Gogh's Starry Night with a Crescent Moon is a fascinating work of art that has intrigued scholars for decades due to its unique representation of celestial bodies. The crescent moon and Venus were likely depicted based on their positions during a specific night, but the exact date of the painting is a subject of debate. At the time, astronomy was popular, and Van Gogh may have been influenced by astronomical illustrations in books. The intensity of his colors and his use of complementary hues suggest that he may have experienced synesthesia. Regardless of the exact inspiration, Van Gogh's interpretation of the night sky was entirely his own, and it continues to captivate viewers today. The complexity of understanding the influences behind this masterpiece involves archaeological research, positional analysis, and art historical interpretation.

The connection between science and art is deeper than we might think. Roberta Olson shared a fascinating story about a painting that beautifully illustrates this connection. The painting, which depicts a gibbous moon, was created by an artist who combined his limited literacy with high-tech tools. This unusual combination led him to create a piece that not only showcases the beauty of the natural world but also explores deeper philosophical questions about the connection between heaven and earth. Furthermore, Heather Berlin, a neuroscientist and clinical psychologist, debunked the myth that creativity comes solely from the right side of the brain. Instead, she explained that creativity arises from a network in the brain called the default mode network, which is active during daydreaming and mind-wandering. These insights remind us that science and art are interconnected and that both can provide valuable perspectives on the world around us.

Our brains have different networks that help us process information and focus our attention. The default mode network is responsible for internal thoughts and ideas, while the salience network signals what's important in the environment. Creative people have more connectivity between these networks, allowing them to switch between modes quickly. This flexibility and adaptability are beneficial, but it may come with the cost of being less fully present in the real world at times. These neural networks are not just metaphors but real electrochemical processes in the brain. By understanding these networks, we could potentially enhance creativity through various activities or even technological interventions. For instance, identifying and stimulating specific networks could help individuals deepen their creative mode. Additionally, artists like Leonardo, who illustrate human physiology in their artwork, demonstrate creativity in both interpreting the world and generating new ideas.

Creativity is not only about having a unique perspective or talent, but also about making new associations between ideas. While Leonardo da Vinci's detailed anatomy drawings showcased his talent, his most creative contributions came from his groundbreaking ideas and novel associations. The human brain, particularly the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex, plays a role in creativity by influencing self-awareness and the ability to make new associations. Comedians, for example, demonstrate this by making unique associations that others don't. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making strides in creativity, but currently falls short in the human ability to make novel associations. However, with continued advancements and self-learning processes, AI may eventually rival human creativity. Synesthesia, a condition where the senses cross over, provides an intriguing example of unique associations. Chromesthesia, a subset of synesthesia, is the perception of sound in terms of color. Leonardo da Vinci is rumored to have had synesthesia, and his letters suggest a connection between colors and music. Understanding the science behind creativity and unique associations, as well as the potential of AI, offers exciting possibilities for the future.

The connection between art and the brain is complex and intriguing. Some artists, like Van Gogh, may have had conditions like temporal lobe epilepsy that influenced their unique artistic styles. The transition from representational art to impressionism was a creative leap, a new way to perceive the world, despite some suggesting it was lazy or unskilled. Modern art continues to push boundaries with abstract pieces like an invisible sculpture or a silent piano performance. The creativity behind these works raises questions about where inspiration comes from and how our perception of art is shaped by the human brain.

The intersection of neuroscience and art can provide valuable insights into the creative process and the mind of artists like Vincent Van Gogh. Heather Berlin, a neuroscientist, joined the discussion to shed light on the neuroscientific aspects of Van Gogh's art, particularly his use of color and brushstrokes. The group explored how Van Gogh's mental health may have influenced his artistic style, emphasizing the importance of understanding the connection between the brain and creativity. In the current context of COVID-19, virtual discussions have become a norm, allowing for continued exploration of intriguing topics like this. As a reminder, Neil deGrasse Tyson, your personal astrophysicist, always keeps looking out for thought-provoking investigations into various fields, including art and neuroscience.