The Jupyter Cloud Ecosystem for Science: Featuring HelioCloud

Cloud-native Jupyter ecosystems are redefining how scientists engage with data at scale. By integrating petabyte-scale datasets with elastic compute resources, these platforms bring high-performance computing to the researcher’s browser—without the need for specialized cloud expertise. HelioCloud, a NASA-supported initiative, exemplifies this transformation. It offers an on-demand, collaborative workbench where scientists can run analyses, share workflows, and accelerate discovery, all through a familiar Jupyter-based interface that feels like “science on my laptop,” but with the power of the cloud.HelioCloud’s design co-locates NASA mission archives with scalable AWS resources, eliminating the need for costly data transfers while enabling seamless access to a comprehensive heliophysics software suite. Built to evolve with its community, HelioCloud also drives cross-domain collaboration with ecosystems like CryoCloud, OpenScapes, and Fornax. Together, these efforts reduce redundant infrastructure costs, standardize user experiences, and open the door to bold, interdisciplinary science. This poster shares lessons from the HelioCloud community—what scientists need, how they use cloud tools, and why converging on shared, domain-aware platforms is critical to enabling the next era of big science.