Art of Science: Simulating and Photographing the Universe

PRESENTATION BEGINS AT 8 PM.

In this science outreach series, scientists present different scientific topics to the general public in a laid-back atmosphere in an art gallery.

The June 2025 event:
Simulating and Photographing the Universe
Presented by Mr. Imran Sultan
Northwestern University

Art in the gallery introduced by Frances (Fran) Lightbound.

Presentation abstract and presenter bios are below.

PRESENTATION BEGINS AT 8 PM.

Exciting science, art and socializing.
Donation bar.
Vegan snacks.

Events are always free and open to all, so feel free to invite others.
Hope to see you there!

Parlour & Ramp Gallery is at 2130 W. 21st St.
Easily accessible by the pink line (Damen stop) and the Damen Ave. (#50) bus. Some street parking available.
https://parlourandramp.com/

Facebook event page,
https://www.facebook.com/events/1812626665955524.

You are invited to join the Art of Science Facebook group,
https://www.facebook.com/groups/308458645920283/.

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Simulating and Photographing the Universe

In this presentation, we will travel from the Earth to the largest structures in the universe. Imran Sultan will describe how we use computer simulations to study the formation of galaxies, dark matter halos, and the cosmic web. He will share insights from his research on the gaseous environments of galaxies, using cosmological zoom-in simulations that form highly realistic virtual galaxies.

In addition to this theoretical work, Mr. Sultan has spent the past years photographing the night sky, traveling across the country to capture eclipses, comets, nebulae, and auroras. He will present highlights from his astrophotography journey, and share lessons he learned in both science and art while creating astronomical images.

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Imran Sultan

Imran Sultan is a Ph.D. candidate in physics at the Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics (CIERA) at Northwestern University. His research focuses on how galaxies form along with their gaseous halos, using simulations to model the universe over billions of years. Before graduate school, he worked as a post-baccalaureate student at Argonne National Laboratory developing methods to analyze some of the largest cosmological simulations ever run.He is also an avid astrophotographer whose work has been featured by NASA, CNN, BBC, and other major outlets.

Frances (Fran) Lightbound

Frances Lightbound is an interdisciplinary artist based in Chicago, working between printmaking, sculpture and installation to address the materiality of built space, and relationships between time, bodies and buildings. She is a lecturer in Printmedia at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally at venues in the US and Europe, with recent solo exhibitions at Rule Gallery (Marfa TX), Bird Show (Chicago), and the John David Mooney Foundation (Chicago). Lightbound was awarded a Luminarts Visual Arts Fellowship in 2017. Originally from Sheffield, England, she received an MFA from School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and a BA (Hons) from Glasgow School of Art, Scotland.
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Image credit: Imran Sultan