SO(3) is the special orthogonal group in three dimensions, representing all possible rotations around the origin in three-dimensional space. It consists of all 3x3 orthogonal matrices with a determinant of +1, which ensures that the rotations preserve the orientation of the space. This group is fundamental in various fields, including physics, robotics, and computer graphics, as it provides a mathematical framework for describing rotational movements. The elements of SO(3) can be visualized as the set of all possible orientations of a rigid body in three-dimensional space, making it essential for understanding spatial transformations.