Real-Time Visualizations of Ocean Data Collected by the NORUS Glider in Svalbad, Norway

• Main Authors: Medina, Daniel, Moline, Mark A., Clark, Christopher M., Wood, Zoë J.
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: DigitalCommons@CalPoly 2011
• Subjects: Computer Sciences; Arctic; Norway
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/csse_fac/230; https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/context/csse_fac/article/1238/viewcontent/WoodZ_2011_RealTimeVisualizationsOcean.pdf

Modern robotics and sensors have expanded the ability to collect science data in underwater settings. Oftentimes, the collected data are deposited into files and databases where they sit in their separate and unique formats. Without easy to use visualization tools, it is difficult to understand and interpret the information within these data sets. NORUS, the North America-Norway educational program, has a scientific focus on how climate-induced changes impact the living resources and ecosystems in the Arctic. In order to obtain the necessary science data, the NORUS program utilizes the Slocum Glider, a form of underwater robot. We present a compelling, efficient, and easy to use interactive system for visualizing large sets of science data collected by the Slocum Glider. This goal is obtained through the implementation of various methods taken from scientific visualization, real time rendering, and scattered data interpolation. Methods include visualizations of the surrounding terrain, the ability to map various science data to glyphs, control over color mapping, and scattered data interpolation.