Singapore (Reuters) – looking for Nemo is about to become much easier with the launch of a scientific study which will allow anyone with Internet access a virtual ride by the great barrier reef Australia.
Prospect, which will use a variety of high-tech underwater cameras, carried out one of the more intensive studies of the reef to a depth of 100 meters, and the public can follow every step through Youtube and other sites Google.
“There are a number of methods to use images and ultimately this is building a bridge between science and public awareness,” said Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Chief Scientist of the Catlin Seaview Survey.
“The only way to do so is that it is part of the activities of the people,” said Hoegh-Guldberg of the University of Queensland to Reuters during the launch of the survey at a Conference on oceans in Singapore.
Images will help to better understand the impact of climate change on the reef and also help scientists to carry out more systematic studies of fish, turtles and other animals.
A camera created specifically for the project which will be attached to the submarine vehicle will take panoramic images 360 degrees of points located along the arrefice of 2,300 km of the length of the State of Queensland.
These images when they join together, will allow people can choose a location, dive under water, and make a virtual immersion.
The page of Google Panoramio, linking images with locations, will allow over time are charged a total of around 50,000 panoramic images and are accessible through Google Earth and Google Maps.
Project (http://www.catlinseaviewsurvey.com/) will also have a dedicated YouTube channel.
