DEVELOPING AN AUGMENTED REALITY APPLICATION FOR ENHANCED GEOLOGIC OUTCROP ANALYSIS

Abstract:

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are becoming powerful tools to aid scientists with the visualization and communication of geologic data. As part of ongoing research into the use of handheld instruments and data visualization in the field, the Remote, In Situ, and Synchrotron Studies for Science and Exploration 2 (RISE2) team is developing an application for viewing AR outcrop data in the field. This application uses a combination of the Unity game engine and Vuforia, an AR plug-in, to render and view AR data products. A digital photo of the outcrop face is used as an image target which is annotated with points representing locations where data or samples were collected. When in use the application uses the camera of a tablet or smartphone to view the associated real-world outcrop and overlay the annotated AR data on the screen in real time (Fig. 1). The points are tied to their 3D locations on the outcrop and stay in place as the observer moves and views the outcrop from different vantage points. Individual data points can be tapped to access a library of previously recorded field notes and additional compositional or visual data collected by other field instruments. Images such as compositional maps of the outcrop can also be tied to the image target resulting in an AR overlay which recolors the entire outcrop to help visualize compositional data at a 1:1 scale. Early tests have shown that the AR outcrop overlays render clearly and allow a field geologist to move naturally while identifying features of interest based on the projected data. This app may be expanded to include AR representations of traverses paths to help visualize where previous scientists interacted with the outcrops. Once completed this app could be integrated into lunar analogue field tests in an to determine if similar technology would be beneficial for future astronauts while both exploring the lunar surface and communicating with a remote mission control science support team.