NASA asks “cloud gazers” to take photos of the sky

The United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) issued a call for assistance from “cloud gazers” last week, enjoining them to take photos of the sky and share them with the agency through an application.

From March 15 through April 15, “cloud gazers” can share photos to the space agency via the “GLOBE Observer” app.

The intention of the project is to compare and validate data gathered by the agency’s Earth-observing instruments on satellites with images taken from a ground-level point of view.

Billed a “cloud observation challenge,” it is part of the “Clouds and Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES)” project. The project aims to validate and better understand how cloud systems affect atmospheric shifts related to climate change.

The application comes with upload guides for users to follow through, as well as a table of base images to help users identify various types of cloud formations. More information on the project and app is hosted on the GLOBE Observer website (observer.globe.gov).

Google cascades preview edition of its “Google Lens” AR suite to iOS

Google announced last week that it is cascading a preview edition of its “Google Lens” augmented reality (AR) suite to iOS devices.

The AR suite is bundled with the latest version of the Google Photos application, and will highlight the real-time imaging-based search features which the suite aims to bring to the fore.

Initially launched last year as an integrated feature on Google’s Google Photos and Google Assistant for Android devices (and compatible with select models), “Google Lens” is an AR app that lets camera-enabled smartdevice owners do camera-based searches for more information.

Backed by advanced artificial-intelligence software, the suite can be used for a wide variety of purposes – to identify flower species or types of plants, for example. More information on the preview edition for iOS is available via Google Photos’ official online channels.

Virtual reality news

Global news agency CNN recently had the launch of a dedicated virtual reality (VR) application for the Oculus Rift standalone VR headset system.

Molded from a partnership with interactive entertainment firm Magnopus, the app features VR content that covers a 360-degree field of view, rendered at ultra-high video resolutions. The application will highlight content developed by CNN’s recently formed VR team.

At its core, the application is an update of CNN’s VR-oriented “CNNVR” app for smartdevices which was launched last year. It essentially brings the news network’s VR-oriented content to a dedicated VR system, complete with all the features and advantages for users. More information on the new VR app is hosted on CNN’s official online channels.