The data was recorded using a Virtual Reality simulation of a space journey, by SpaceBuzz. Questionnaire data includes demographics, Dispositional Positive Emotions Scale for awe, Positive Effects of Being in Space questionnaire (PEBS), the AWE-S scale, the VR Simulator Sickness questionnaire, and drawings to measure perceived self-size, and a knowledge test. Participants’ heart rate, skin conductance and respiration rate were recorded.

Data files: Cleaned SPSS data including questionnaires and frequency bands of video epochs (Questionnaire questions present in ‘labels’): SimulationData_Physiology_Questionnaires.sav Drawings by participants (pre and post): DrawingsSelfSize.pdf Summary of video events/epochs including time stamps: SimulationSummary.csv Structure data package: Raw data was cleaned and exported from Acqknowledge 5.0 to SPSS using excel and Matlab. The SPSS file is provided.

Method: Pre-test questionnaires were administered before the VR experience while the measurement equipment was being applied to participants’ torso and fingers. EEG equipment was applied as well but outside of the scope of this dataset. During the VR experience of space, three-leads electrocardiogram (ECG) for heart rate, electrodermal activity (EDA) with electrodes on the index and middle fingers, and respiration using a respiration band around the upper body, were recorded. The Acqknowledge 5.0 software package (BIOPAC Systems, Inc.) was used to record and save the data at 2000 Hz. Mean values for HR, RMSSD, SCL, SCR, and RR were exported per event withing the simulation. Post-questionnaires were administered afterwards.

Universe: The population consisted of 40 Dutch speaking university students (Mage = 20.10; SDage = 1.96; 14 men, 26 women).

Country / Nation: The Netherlands