Navigation techniques for large-scale astronomical exploration

Chi-Wing Fu; Andrew J. Hanson; Eric A. Wernert

doi:10.1117/12.648287

16 January 2006 Navigation techniques for large-scale astronomical exploration

Chi-Wing Fu, Andrew J. Hanson, Eric A. Wernert

Proceedings Volume 6060, Visualization and Data Analysis 2006; 60600K (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.648287
Event: Electronic Imaging 2006, 2006, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

Navigating effectively in virtual environments at human scales is a difficult problem. However, it is even more difficult to navigate in large-scale virtual environments such as those simulating the physical Universe; the huge spatial range of astronomical simulations and the dominance of empty space make it hard for users to acquire reliable spatial knowledge of astronomical contexts. This paper introduces a careful combination of navigation and visualization techniques to resolve the unique problems of large-scale real-time exploration in terms of travel and wayfinding. For large-scale travel, spatial scaling techniques and constrained navigation manifold methods are adapted to the large spatial scales of the virtual Universe. We facilitate large-scale wayfinding and context awareness using visual cues such as power-of-10 reference cubes, continuous exponential zooming into points of interest, and a scalable world-in-miniature (WIM) map. These methods enable more effective exploration and assist with accurate context-model building, thus leading to improved understanding of virtual worlds in the context of large-scale astronomy.

Citation Download Citation

Chi-Wing Fu, Andrew J. Hanson, and Eric A. Wernert "Navigation techniques for large-scale astronomical exploration", Proc. SPIE 6060, Visualization and Data Analysis 2006, 60600K (16 January 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.648287

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