`Google Maps` virtual diving brings Great Barrier Reef into view
Baku, October 2 (AZERTAC). Millions of people will be able to take a virtual dive on the Great Barrier Reef via Google Maps on Wednesday as part of a pioneering underwater scientific expedition.
The Catlin Seaview Survey will allow internet users to share the discoveries of scientists who are using new technology to study the composition and health of the Great Barrier Reef.
Up to 50,000 high-definition panoramic images of the reef will be taken by the world`s first tablet-operated underwater camera and geolocated. When the rapid-fire images are linked together, users will be able to choose a location along the reef, dip underwater and go for a viewer-controlled virtual dive using the street view feature of Google Maps.
Dives already completed at three islands on the Great Barrier Reef, as well as sites in Hawaii and the Philippines, will be available today, with more images virtual dive sites added as the scientists map 20 separate reefs along the 2,300km system to a depth of 100m.
The imagery will be available to more than 1 billion monthly users of Google Maps around the world, as well as through a dedicated YouTube channel, Google+ and Panoramio, a geolocation photo-sharing website.
The survey was launched with a live night dive via a Google+ Hangout at the Blue Ocean film festival in Monterey, California.
The three-month survey of the Australian reef system is the first in a series of Catlin Seaview surveys to explore and record the world`s coral reefs. Next year, the expedition will move on to Hawaii, the Philippines and Bermuda.
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