NASA has once again captivated the world with a stunning new visualization that transforms complex scientific data into a work of art.
Titled “Perpetual Ocean 2”, this mesmerizing digital display of ocean currents is not only a scientific triumph but has also drawn comparisons to one of the most iconic paintings in art history—Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night.
The video, developed using NASA’s sophisticated ocean model known as ECCO—short for Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean—is a sequel to the original Perpetual Ocean visualization released in 2011.
That earlier project gained widespread acclaim for its elegant portrayal of surface ocean currents. Now, with Perpetual Ocean 2, the model dives deeper—literally—into the ocean, capturing not only surface activity but also what happens beneath, using cutting-edge three-dimensional data.
This newest visualization quickly went viral across social media platforms and science websites alike. The swirling currents, depicted in graceful arcs and whirls of color, bear a striking resemblance to the dreamlike motion and rhythm seen in Van Gogh’s post-impressionist masterpiece.
Viewers noted how the virtual trails resemble celestial spirals, reinforcing the poetic connection between the forces of nature and the expressive hand of art.
“In 2011, we used ECCO2 to create a visualization called Perpetual Ocean. Perpetual Ocean continues to be extremely popular, but it only shows ocean currents on the surface,” said a statement from NASA Goddard.
With Perpetual Ocean 2, NASA pushes beyond the surface, utilizing the full scope of ECCO’s 3D velocity data. These data sets are meticulously built using a combination of satellite observations, ocean buoys, and direct measurements from various parts of the globe.
The specific model applied here, ECCO-2, focuses on ocean behavior from the years 2021 to 2023, offering an incredibly recent and accurate depiction of Earth’s ever-moving aquatic systems.
“In this new visualization, we use the ocean’s 3D velocity field to visualize some of the strongest ocean currents. We release virtual particles in the ocean and allow them to move with the ocean’s three dimensional velocity field,” explains the team behind the project.
The virtual particles used in the visualization follow the path of the currents and are equipped with trails that make their movements easier to track. These trails differ depending on the depth at which the particles are released.
“Each particle has a trail to better see its direction of movement. The particles initialized above 600 meters in depth have a trail length of 3 days, those initialized deeper than 600 meters have a trail length of 6 days.”
This innovative visual method serves a dual purpose. On the one hand, it offers a beautiful, almost meditative image of the oceans in motion. On the other, it helps researchers and the public identify where the planet’s most powerful ocean currents reside. These are typically located in tight bands along the western edges of major ocean basins.
“The particle trails help identify the strongest currents in the world that are squeezed in narrow belts on the western side of each ocean basin.”
Beyond its visual appeal, Perpetual Ocean 2 is a testament to the power of blending art and science. It invites viewers to marvel at the ocean not just as a vast, unknowable expanse but as a dynamic, living system driven by unseen forces. By transforming invisible currents into glowing filaments of movement, NASA offers both education and inspiration.
You can view the complete videos and immerse yourself in this digital oceanic dance at NASA’s official website here.
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