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A Whale's Virtual Reality

Posted by timothy on from the sounds-like-a-good-video-game dept.

sciencehabit writes "A surfacing whale is a sight to see, but it would be even more dramatic to watch one ply the ocean depths. Researchers have taken a step closer to doing just that with sophisticated radio-tagging technology and a new computer program that uses the data to recreate a whale's path underwater. The results, which look a bit like a whale riding a roller coaster (see video), are helping scientists understand how the school bus-sized beasts are able to take in enough food to sustain their great girth, and how underwater noises, such as sonar, might affect their well-being."

4 of 21 comments (clear)

  1. What? by thedonger · · Score: 2, Funny

    Virtual reality was way cooler in 90s. That wasn't even first-person.

    --
    Help fight poverty: Punch a poor person.
  2. Oblig. hhgg reference... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    I wonder what it would be like if, against all probability a sperm whale had suddenly been called into existence several miles above the surface of an alien planet... I wonder if it will be friends with me... thud.

  3. Not VR. Interesting enough to watch, though. by SecurityGuy · · Score: 3, Informative

    Kind of interesting, but not at all virtual reality. It's a simple data visualization.

  4. Japanese whale hunters will LOVE the "harpoon" pin by ivi · · Score: 2

    My first impression: Lousy whale icon. :-(

    My 2nd: Gosh, that location-pin looks like a bloody harpoon! :-(