Psyche Inspired: Binh-An Nguyen

Institution: Temple University

Major: Chemistry (Art Minor)

Psyche Inspired Class: 2019-2020

Reflections from Binh-An

SEEING PSYCHE

SEEING PSYCHE

Binh-An Nguyen

November 1, 2019

Major: Chemistry (Art Minor)

Genre/Medium: mixed paper

About the work: Currently, we can only view the Psyche asteroid through telescopes. At best, we can see it as a smudge of light. However, once the Psyche spacecraft starts orbiting the Psyche asteroid in 2026, we will finally get the first real look of what the Psyche asteroid looks like. For this interactive installation piece, the cutout of Psyche is translucent and allows for light to shine through it. This light symbolizes the possible new knowledge Psyche holds about the “dark” unknowns of Earth’s core, seeing as Psyche is hypothesized to be the exposed core of a protoplanet. This piece allows the viewer to walk around and view Psyche through two very different perspectives. The first perspective is the viewer looking at the asteroid through their own “telescope,” which is a piece of paper with a very small hole in it. They get to experience Psyche more personally, but the small hole in the “telescope” really limits how much they can see. As for the other perspective, the viewer gets to see all of Psyche in the same way the spacecraft will see it. Thus, every viewer gets a clearer view of Psyche, and everyone experiences seeing Psyche together.

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Impact

Large peaks rise around edges of a large crater in the center of the piece with small craters surrounding it. Illuminated, the detail of the craggy texture of Psyche’s landscape is emphasized. Shades of white, yellow, and orange create the highlights. Shades of reds and purples form the shadows of the peaks and craters. Purple and pinks waves of light fill the void surrounding the landscape.

Impact

Binh-An Nguyen

December 18, 2019

Major: Chemistry (Art Minor)

Genre/Medium: oil pastel

About the work: Color plays an important role in this piece, as the colors used are based on the Psyche Mission logo. I wanted to represent that what we know about the surface of Psyche now is all based on the research being done by the Psyche team. Eventually, their work will lead to us being able to finally see all the textures that grace Psyche’s surface. Currently, it is believed that because Psyche may be mostly metal, the craters from impacts will have “peaks” around their edges, which may be unique to Psyche alone. Therefore, this is my interpretation of what Psyche’s surface may possibly look like.

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 The Many Aspects of Psyche

Fine black lines illustrate people of all different backgrounds, disciplines, and ages working on different projects that contribute to the Psyche Mission. Groups, such as the Psyche Inspired team and a team of engineers building the multispectral imager, are pictured. In the middle, students are testing out software and interacting with the public. At the top, a meeting with the principal investigator and a group of people working on an antenna is pictured.

The Many Aspects of Psyche

Binh-An Nguyen

March 6, 2020

Major: Chemistry (Art Minor)

Genre/Medium: pen and ink

About the work: The entire Psyche Mission could not be possible without all the people who make up the Psyche team. Many most likely think that the only people who make up the team are experienced engineers and scientist, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. There are geologists, artists, and students from across the country that are working on projects that relate to Psyche. Together, we all work toward a common goal: to visit Psyche, a mostly metal world. In order to spread the message of teamwork and diversity in disciplines in the Psyche Mission, I decided to make a poster that emphasizes this. Fine lines of ink make up the illustration of various people working on the mission. I decided to leave it uncolored because I wanted to let those who wish to have the poster get some creative liberty of what their poster will look like. They can decide to leave it uncolored or add their own details. Hopefully, more people can see that anyone can be a part of a mission like Psyche, and that NASA missions are not just limited to scientists or engineers. The Psyche Mission would not be possible without the many collaborators in this project.

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Psyche Sweater

On the front, left side of a white sweater, there's a purple outline of the Psyche spacecraft with a small pink signal wave. On the back of the sweater is a large number 16 with the word “PSYCHE” spelled in all caps, placed like the design of a sports jersey. The collar, sleeve cuffs, lower band, letters, and numbers of the sweater are in an ombre yarn of purple, pink, red, and orange.

Psyche Sweater

Binh-An Nguyen

April 28, 2020

Major: Chemistry (Art Minor)

Genre/Medium: acrylic, nylon, knitted

About the work: “Psyche Sweater” promotes the Psyche Mission and informs others on how the spacecraft will utilize X-band radio telecommunication technology to measure Psyche’s gravity field.The back is modeled after a sports jersey-like appearance, as everyone wants to support their favorite team: The Psyche Mission Team! The number 16 was chosen as Psyche was the 16th asteroid to be discovered. The front has an image of the spacecraft sending out radio waves. On the collar and cuffs, the colors of the Psyche Mission logo are represented in a space dye yarn. The overall pattern is that of a raglan sweater. Yarns of acrylic and acrylic nylon blend were used.

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