Plano, August 19, 2025
News Summary
A former physicist from the University of Texas at Dallas, Russell Stoneback, presents stunning digital artworks created from complex space data. Using his software OMMBV, he translates multidimensional physics data into vibrant, geometric images, which are being utilized by major space research programs including NASA and NOAA. Stoneback aims to make physics more accessible and engaging to the public through his art, showcasing approximately 700 unique pieces that originate directly from scientific data, offering a fresh perspective on the intersection of art and science.
Plano — A former University of Texas at Dallas physicist has translated complex space science into a body of striking digital artworks that are rooted in raw scientific data and are being used by major space research programs. On July 15, 2025, the artist-scientist displayed vibrant canvases at his Plano home, showcasing images dominated by yellows, purples, and blues that originated as diagnostic visualizations of magnetic and ionospheric data.
Key developments and significance
Russell Stoneback, 45, has developed a method and software that convert multidimensional physics data into geometric mappings and color patterns. The software, called OMMBV (Orthogonal Multipole Magnetic Basis Vectors), was created to solve a practical scientific problem: how to graph highly complex magnetic fields as geometric angles in a way scientists could analyze and verify. While designed as a diagnostic tool, OMMBV produced visually compelling images that Stoneback began presenting as artworks.
OMMBV has been applied in operational research contexts, including NASA’s ICON mission and data analysis for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from the COSMIC-2 microsatellites. Stoneback’s images are generated directly from the data outputs of OMMBV and are presented without post-processing manipulation, yielding roughly 700 distinct pieces to date.
Artist background and technical work
Originally from Austin, Texas, Stoneback pursued advanced physics training at UT Dallas, earning a master’s degree and a PhD. He stayed at the university for 12 years, during which time he worked on scientific instrument design, including contributions to a nanosatellite CubeSat project. During his student years he explored intersections of physics and music, creating a novel “photonic” guitar that uses electricity and light rather than traditional acoustic construction and developing an application named Cosmic Guitar that converts light waves into sound.
In 2021, Stoneback founded Cosmic Studio to formalize his work at the interface of art and science. The studio serves as a platform for translating scientific outputs into visual formats intended to broaden public engagement with scientific topics.
Exhibition and public reaction
The July 15, 2025 showing at Stoneback’s Plano residence highlighted the aesthetic qualities of the OMMBV images, with canvases featuring vivid palettes and complex patterns. The images derive directly from datasets rather than artistic reinterpretation; their function as diagnostic visuals for scientific accuracy is what produces their formal qualities.
Stoneback has said he seeks to address a common public perception that physics is primarily cold mathematics rather than visually and emotionally resonant. His presentations have provoked strong reactions in some scientific and public settings, including a noted emotional response from an attendee at a 2022 professional workshop focused on ionospheric and atmospheric research. He has also publicly criticized tendencies within parts of the scientific community to prioritize internal technical work over outreach and public engagement.
How the imagery is made
The process begins with complex magnetic or ionospheric datasets. OMMBV reduces the complexity by mapping field components into orthogonal multipole basis vectors and translating those vectors into geometric angles and color channels. What originated as an internal verification step for the software revealed repeatable visual structures that Stoneback later printed and mounted as canvases. Stoneback reports that even he finds some results surprising and difficult to fully explain beyond the software’s mathematical transformations.
Practical impact
Beyond aesthetic impact, OMMBV serves practical research purposes by simplifying representations of magnetic fields for analysis. Its adoption in NASA and NOAA workflows indicates the software’s utility in operational science, while the visual outputs broaden the potential audience for that science by making data accessible in a non-technical format.
Context and implications
Stoneback’s work sits at a growing intersection of data visualization, public engagement, and scientific research. By converting diagnostics into gallery-ready images, the project demonstrates a method for expanding the reach of esoteric datasets and for challenging perceptions about where scientific value and beauty can be found. The dual use of OMMBV—as both a scientific tool and a source of visual art—illustrates how technical methods can have unanticipated cultural and educational resonance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is OMMBV?
OMMBV stands for Orthogonal Multipole Magnetic Basis Vectors. It is software that maps complex magnetic fields into geometric angles and color channels to simplify analysis and create visual diagnostics.
How many artworks has Stoneback created using OMMBV?
Stoneback has produced about 700 distinct pieces generated directly from OMMBV data outputs.
Where have OMMBV outputs been used in research?
OMMBV has been used in NASA’s ICON mission and by NOAA for analyses involving COSMIC-2 microsatellite data.
What is Cosmic Studio?
Cosmic Studio, founded in 2021, is Stoneback’s initiative focused on projects that bridge scientific data and visual art.
Are the images manipulated artistically?
The images presented as artworks come directly from the diagnostic outputs of the software and are not manipulated for aesthetic effect.
What is Stoneback’s scientific background?
Stoneback completed a master’s degree and a PhD in physics at UT Dallas, remained at the university for 12 years working on instrument design and nanosatellite projects, and has a history of integrating technical and creative pursuits.
| Feature | Value | Visual |
|---|---|---|
| Artworks produced | ~700 |
|
| UT Dallas tenure | 12 years |
|
| Founded Cosmic Studio | 2021 |
|
| Research usage | NASA ICON, NOAA COSMIC-2 |
|
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