Science non-fiction

Virtual worlds have existed online for decades, allowing people to shop, socialize and even own their own virtual property. But as the online worlds such as Second Life develop, more serious pursuits have come to the fore, including research, education and scientific communication.

The Meta Institute for Computational Astrophysics (MICA) is the first scientific professional organization based entirely in a virtual world. The institute is open to visits from anyone with a computer, Internet connection and ability to enter the online world Second Life.

MICA has not only enabled him to map out complex astronomical data in the form of "virtual observatories," but has also revolutionized communication possibilities with colleagues and others, according to director George Djorgovski, who is also an astronomy professor and director of advanced computing research at the California Institute of Technology.

"Our institute allows extremely cheap and effective public outreach worldwide," he said. "Anyone anywhere in the world can come here, experience the excitement of science and share in some of the cutting edge work that’s going on today."

A new star is born

Founded a year ago on an idyllic virtual island named "Stella Nova," MICA provides a central amphitheater as a venue for lectures, seminars and workshops. Seating dotted around the island looks considerably more comfortable than the average scientist's conference room and offers a relaxing environment for one-to-one online discussions.

The institute holds a bi-weekly series of popular astronomy lectures as well as weekly informal gatherings called "Ask an Astronomer."

"A lot of people do come and enjoy it and find it interesting that they can talk to a world class expert on a topic or question that bothers them," Djorgovski said.

MICA is part of an entire virtual mini-continent called "SciLands" made up over 20 science and technology related organizations, including the NASA Explorer Island and the Imperial College London Virtual Medical School.

Game for skepticism

A year since its inception, MICA has been awarded a grant from the US National Science Foundation who are keen to explore the potential uses of this technology for science and scholarship.

Despite accolades such as these, many academics, still see virtual environments as nothing more than games, Djorgovski said. That's a perception he said he's trying to change by showing his real-life colleagues how they can exploit virtual world in their own work.

"Virtual worlds and immersive virtual reality just represent the next step along the technological evolution," he said. "They really click with the human perceptive system, and I am convinced instead they will become the standard way by which we interface the Web and communicate with other humans as well as with the world of information."

Other scientific successes

Psychologists are also beginning to explore the benefits virtual worlds may have to offer. They bear great potential to investigate human behavior and perception, according to Barth Wissmath, a psychologist from the University of Bern.

"In virtual worlds we can control any variable, and we can focus on the specific question we have in mind," he said.

To date, the most effective use of virtual worlds has been in the treatment of phobias such as vertigo or arachnophobia. Virtually exposing patients to their fear can eventually help them to face the real thing.

"Virtual worlds are great environments to treat phobias because you can gradually increase the stimulus and therefore help people to get comfortable close to that stimulus," Wissmath said. "You can really treat people in this environment."

Uncertain future

Wissmath added that even as research is conducted using virtual worlds, their full scientific potential remains unclear.

"We are only at the beginning of understanding the full potential of virtual worlds in the field of psychology," he said. "But there is certainly a lot of research going on at the moment that will give us more answers in the future."