nasa-gradient-sunOne might say that science and art are two completely different mediums, with both tapping into different portions of the brain. You won’t find many lab geeks producing million dollar art galleries, and visa versa. But this incredible NASA video, titled Gradient Sun, proves that the two disciplines overlap more than you’d think.

“Science and art techniques are often quite similar, indeed one may inform the other or be improved based on lessons from the other arena,” NASA said.

The agency explains why a method, known as gradient filter in the design and art world, is a huge tool for studying stars like the sun. “Gradients are, in fact, a mathematical description that highlights the places of greatest physical change in space,” NASA said. “A gradient filter, in turn, enhances places of contrast, making them all the more obviously different, a useful tool when adjusting photos.”

So using a gradient filter on the sun, for example, allows NASA to more accurately study a phenomenon known as coronal loops, “which are giant arcs of solar material constrained to travel along that particular path by the magnetic fields in the sun’s atmosphere.” Ultimately, studying the loops will help researchers better understand the sun’s magnetic fields. Science.

It’s a truly mesmerizing video, almost serene, and allows us to see the sun from an amazingly unique perspective.

[via NASAexplorer (YouTube)]