Visualizing the atomic nucleus

Between the realm of precise few-body calculations and the realm of precise stochastic calculations lie most of the problems of the nuclear realm, where only imperfect models with a variety of adjustable parameters allow for quantitative work. Recent developments in both computer science and nuclear theory, however, have made it possible to visualize the nucleus in a manner consistent among the diverse models of nuclear structure. We discuss the need for visualization at the nuclear level, for both educational and research purposes, and then describe a computer graphics implementation that we call Nuclear Visualization Software