An extensive three year study of the Australian Great Barrier Reef will be conducted by a team of international scientists and researchers over the next three years. The interesting part is that although the feature being studied is largely under water, the study is going to be conducted from the air from an altitude of 28,000 feet.

How is that going to work? They will use the Portable Remote Imaging Spectrometer or PRISM. The PRISM will be used to obtain high definition images of the areas being studied. The resolution of the images will enhance the electromagnetic spectrum of the areas under observation. PRISM will be mounted on a modified Tempus Solutions Gulfstream IV aircraft when it takes the images.

The data will then be calibrated and analysed for 10 key biological and environmental features. The study will provide the coral reef science community with high-quality oceanographic imagery. These will be analysed for accuracy, range, resolution, signal-to-noise ratio, sensitivity and uniformity to obtain the state of the reef.

There is a great deal of excitement about the science project as this is the first such study of it’s kind. There are sure to be a great many discoveries to be made.