Current Student Collaborations Participants
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Psyche Inspired
Heart of the Planet
Remy Cantrelle
December 19th, 2025
Major: Digital Art
Genre/Medium: Video
About the work:
Heart of a Planet is a one-minute digital animation that was created in Adobe After Effects, inspired by Asteroid Psyche 16, a metallic body that scientists believe may be the exposed core of an early planet. What interests me most about Psyche is not only its scientific mystery, but the emotional meaning behind it. It represents something that was once hidden beneath layers of rock, now revealed. The idea of looking beneath a surface, whether planetary or personal, is the main concept guiding this animation. In the animation, I imagine a slow journey inward. The piece begins in the quiet darkness of space, where Psyche appears distant and cool. As the viewer moves closer, faint glimmers and shifting textures appear across its metal surface, suggesting that something warm or luminous may exist within. The animation then shifts into a descent toward the molten interior, where light grows stronger and more fluid. This visual transformation mirrors the experience of discovery: the moment when something hidden becomes visible and meaningful. Instead of approaching this as a literal scientific depiction, I am focusing on the emotional atmosphere of exploration. The animation is shaped by feelings of awe, curiosity, stillness, and quiet realization. I want viewers to feel as if they are slowly uncovering something valuable or sacred, even though the setting is cosmic and distant.
“Psyche Astroid HR” model by mshafaq from Sketchfab, “Space Atmosphere” sound effect by Pawel Spychala from Pixabay, “Light Texture” sound effect by Samuel F.Johams from Pixabay.
Psyche Inspired Overview
Psyche Inspired is a program that brings undergraduate students from any discipline or major together to share the excitement, innovation, and scientific and engineering content of NASA’s Psyche mission with the public in new ways through artistic and creative works. These works are posted in the gallery above and highlighted on X, Facebook, and Instagram. View the full resolution images in the image gallery. This year’s Psyche Inspired cohort is known as the Platinum Class.
Psyche Inspired was piloted at ASU during the 2017-2018 academic year. The following academic year, Psyche Inspired expanded nationally! The works from each Psyche Inspired cohort are collected in individual downloadable books that tell the story of Psyche through musical scores, sculptures, painting, 3-D models, photography, acrylic art, needlepoint, stop-motion films, mixed media, and more.
Click here to view all the Psyche Inspired books
Take a look at our comprehensive map that shows how the Psyche Inspired program has grown over the years!
