The Laboratory for Ocean Color Users (LOCUS) - Merging Research with Oceanographic Education

The Ocean Color Time-Series Project based at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA GSFC) will produce a multi-decade ocean color dataset by combining data from the Coastal Zone Color Scanner (1978-1986), the Ocean Color and Temperature Scanner (1996-1997), the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (1997-present) and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (2002-present) on the Aqua satellite. The ocean color time-series products can potentially be extended to data acquired by sensors on the operational National Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS). The use of these data sets is facilitated by the Laboratory for Ocean Color Users (LOCUS). LOCUS is hosted by the Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC) and features “Giovanni”, the GES DISC Interactive Online Visualization and Analysis Infrastructure. The easy-to-use interface and rapid functionality of Giovanni allows users to perform basic data analyses on global ocean color data products. Giovanni requires only a World Wide Web browser for the performance of sophisticated data analysis and the creation of publication-ready numerical and graphic output. LOCUS provides a framework through which professors, teachers, and students can fully utilize ocean color time-series data and Giovanni. Full development of LOCUS includes tutorials which demonstrate examples of research projects; an extensive online user’s manual of Giovanni functions; educational modules which discuss fundamental oceanographic concepts utilizing interactive data analysis exercises; concept-to-completion guidelines for the creation of independent investigational research projects; and a user forum that allows scientists and data professionals to interact with LOCUS participants on their particular research programs.