Ebb and Flow: Scientific Visualization : A new(ish) and growing interdisciplinary approach to scientific visualization is changing how we look at things and how we work towards understanding geological, medical, physical, chemical and biological phenomena. Why is this useful? Students understand the basics so much better with visualization, architects can 'see' and realize soil characteristics, researchers are using these visualization in myriad ways to come to some startling conclusions. So what is this all about?

Computing power has changed the paradigm : Computer simulation is a computer program, or network of computers, that attempts to simulate an abstract model of a particular system. Computer simulations have become a useful part of mathematical modelling of many natural systems in physics, and computational physics, chemistry and biology; human systems in economics, psychology, and social science; and in the process of engineering and new technology, to gain insight into the operation of those systems, or to observe their behavior. The simultaneous visualization and simulation of a system is called visulation.

Data visualization : In its more modern incarnation data visualization has generated a new form of graphic design where visual attributes such as lines, shapes and colors become nothing more than the corporeal reality of graphic objects whose soul is made of data. The new graphic designer no longer creates visualizations by choosing a rigid collection of shapes, positions and colors but rather by choosing the rules needed for data to breathe form into geometric abstractions.

NASA's Visualization Studio : The Scientific Visualization Studio wants you to learn about NASA programs through visualization. The SVS works closely with scientists in the creation of visualizations, animations, and images in order to promote a greater understanding of Earth and Space Science research activities at NASA and within the academic research community supported by NASA. And this is where you can learn more about the planets, the solar system and stars!

References and Sources

http://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_visualization

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-data-visualization-revolution/

Image credit : http://goo.gl/EOf3I0 (skunkbear.tumblr)