Awesome open source data released from NASA to build VR experience's

A new project that is utilizing data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and various other telescopes allows anyone to navigate through real data of the remains of an exploded star for the first time!

This three-dimensional virtual reality (VR) project with augmented reality (AR) allows you as a user to explore inside the debris from actual observations of the supernova remnant called Cassiopeia A. Cassiopeia A (Cas A, for short) is the debris field of a massive star that blew itself apart over 400 years ago.

The VR project is being made available in an open access/open source format suitable for VR caves or "Yurts," as well as on the Oculus Rift platform. The project coordinators plan for a Google Cardboard version in future iterations. Additional data-driven 3-D astronomical objects are also in the works for the Chandra VR/AR experience.

Watch an awesome demo of the data!

To start hacking with the data visit http://chandra.si.edu/vr .For access to non-VR versions, the Smithsonian Learning Lab has created an interactive 3-D application for the 3-D Cas A with related resources and activities at http://s.si.edu/cas-a .