P5: Exploring the Quantum Universe

3D Science Illustration • U.S. Particle Physics • 2023
A semi-abstract 3D illustration depicting subatomic and astronomical physics. Particle tracks burst out of a bright center, suggestive of a high-energy event / the Big Bang. Two light cones emerge from this explosion towards the left and right, along with elements corresponding to quantum physics and astrophysics respectively. Left: oscillating neutrinos, Higgs potential. Right: the evolution of the universe in three stages – 1. primordial cosmic soup / CMB, 2. current distribution of stars and galaxies, 3. further expansion. Dark blobs clustering around the spheres suggest dark matter / primordial black holes. Art by Olena Shmahalo for U.S. Particle Physics.

FOR
P5 (Particle Physics Project Prioritization Panel) / U.S. Particle Physics, 2023. Thanks to AD Michael Branigan

WORK
Concepts, illustration

TOOLS
C4D, CSP, PS

INFO
3D illustration for the 2023 P5 Report: Exploring the Quantum Universe – a "strategic plan for the High Energy Physics Advisory Panel".

I proposed three separate panels that combine to form a banner image, symbolizing the interrelatedness of these areas of study. These panels — depicting subjects in physics, from the subatomic to astronomical — are based on the three key sections of the report ↓

A semi-abstract 3D artwork depicting subatomic and astronomical physics. Crop of the left panel, illustrating the topic *Decipher the Quantum Realm* from the 2023 P5 report: Particles and oscillating neutrinos bursting out of a bright source and flying through a light cone containing the Higgs / 'Mexican hat' potential. Art by Olena Shmahalo for U.S. Particle Physics.

Decipher the Quantum Realm

Oscillating neutrinos and particles flying through a light cone containing the Higgs potential, AKA "Sombrero potential".

A semi-abstract 3D artwork depicting subatomic and astronomical physics. Crop of the middle panel, illustrating the topic *Explore New Paradigms in Physics* from the 2023 P5 report: Particle tracks burst out of a bright center, suggestive of a high-energy event / the Big Bang. Two light cones emerge from this explosion towards the left and right, along with elements corresponding to quantum physics and astrophysics respectively. Art by Olena Shmahalo for U.S. Particle Physics.

Particle tracks / matter / black holes bursting out of a bright center, suggestive of a high-energy event like the Big Bang, and an explosion of new phenomena.

A semi-abstract 3D artwork depicting subatomic and astronomical physics. Crop of the right panel, illustrating the topic *Illuminate the Invisible Universe* from the 2023 P5 report: The evolution of the universe in three stages – 1. primordial cosmic soup / CMB, 2. current distribution of stars and galaxies, 3. further expansion. Dark blobs clustering around the spheres suggest dark matter / primordial black holes. Art by Olena Shmahalo for U.S. Particle Physics.

Illuminate the Invisible Universe

The evolving universe in three stages: 1. primordial cosmic soup / CMB, 2. current distribution of stars and galaxies, 3. further expansion. Dark blobs clustering around the spheres suggest dark matter / primordial black holes.

A semi-abstract 3D illustration depicting subatomic and astronomical physics. Particle tracks burst out of a bright center, suggestive of a high-energy event / the Big Bang. Two light cones emerge from this explosion towards the left and right, along with elements corresponding to quantum physics and astrophysics respectively. Left: oscillating neutrinos, Higgs potential. Right: the evolution of the universe in three stages – 1. primordial cosmic soup / CMB, 2. current distribution of stars and galaxies, 3. further expansion. Dark blobs clustering around the spheres suggest dark matter / primordial black holes. Art by Olena Shmahalo for U.S. Particle Physics.

The three sections fuse together to form a complete banner.

Screenshot of early sketches of a scientific illustration depicting subatomic and astronomical physics, surrounded by callouts with notes describing physical phenomena symbolized by the various elements in the image. Art by Olena Shmahalo for U.S. Particle Physics.

An early concept sketch and notes

Screenshots of 3D process; particles flying out of a bright central source with dual light cones extending towards the sides. 3D models depicting particle physics and astrophysics by Olena Shmahalo.

3D process screenshots

Screenshot of the P5 Physics Report homepage — https://www.usparticlephysics.org/2023-p5-report/ — featuring a semi-abstract scientific art depicting phenomena in particle physics and astrophysics. Illustration by Olena Shmahalo for U.S. Particle Physics.

Screenshot of the P5 website

© Olena Shmahalo