The Earth System Research Lab (ESRL) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has been developing a weather and ocean tour that puts you in control of the action. The NOAA site, dubbed "Meteora," a Greek word meaning "things suspended in the air"-or, in scientists' terms, atmospheric phenomena- is quickly becoming a sensation. Here is what you can do with your Second Life…
- Dive through a hurricane on the wings of a research aircraft.
- Search for hidden caves underwater in a submersible.
- Soar to the upper atmospheric layers in a weather balloon.
- Investigate a tsunami and the power of these rogue waves.
- Sit on a glacier and virtually feel the cold.
Not familiar with Second Life?
After a brief registration process, you will choose an avatar which is an online virtual identity. You get to pick a name for yourself and an image displayed when you enter into the virtual weather environment. You will then be taken to the weather slurl. (A Slurl is a Second Life url or web address.) Finally, you will enter into one of the first government-sponsored, Earth-science "islands” on Second Life. The full experience is amazing and I personally cannot wait to see what is developed in the future. I see a large potential for this program to become very popular!(The full web address of the weather slurl is http://slurl.com/secondlife/Meteora/177/161/27/ ).
What the Developers are Saying
According to ESRL director Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald, "We're experimenting with new ways to conduct science and public education that appeal to a different sensibility and may help a new audience get excited about Earth science". More information on how to access this virtual world is available at NOAA's Second Life website.
And, according to ESRL's Eric Hackathorn, who developed the island with Second Life design company Aimee Weber Studios, in the future, scientists may eventually collaborate on research, hold virtual meetings and give public presentations in the auditorium. He is developing metrics for observing traffic patterns while guaranteeing privacy rights for the avatars and their real-life selves.
There's no shortage of ideas on what the future holds for Meteora. Climate change scenarios illustrate a warming world with melting glaciers and rising sea levels. A virtual beach demonstrates how to recognize the onset of a tsunami, and eventually the site may enhance public awareness of rip tides, hurricanes, tornadoes and other natural disasters.
If you are a Second Life fan and have used the Meteora site, share your Second Life stories in the forum!
