Abstract

Scientific Animation: Visualizing Time-Series Earth Science Data
Track: Parks and Natural Reserves
Author(s): Vincent Realmuto

Wildfires, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and severe storms are examples of complex, dynamic phenomena that can threaten population centers. The study of dynamic phenomena requires analysis of time-series data, such as remote sensing data acquired with earth-observing satellites. One of the most effective techniques for visualizing dynamic natural phenomena is the animation of time-series data sets, model results, or combinations of the two. The timely and efficient generation of animations requires access to archives of geo-referenced remote sensing, population, and infrastructure data. These data are in various formats, including 2D-raster, 2D- and 3D-vector, and 3D-polygons. The Esri Geodatabase schema provides specifications for many of these data types, and may be extended to include more exotic data types. Data translation routines allow us to import and register data to a common map projection, and export data into common image and graphics formats. Resulting animations are produced with commercial, off-the-shelf software products.

Vincent Realmuto
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
4800 Oak Grove Drive
M/S 183-501
Pasadena , California 91109
United States
Phone: 818-354-1824
E-mail: Vincent.J.Realmuto@jpl.nasa.gov