NCAR Visualization Lab

The NCAR Visualization Lab – the VisLab – supports an immersive environment for visualizing complex data sets at very high resolution and for collaborating across sites via high-definition video teleconferencing. This visual computing center at the Mesa Lab in Boulder also is used to conduct many of CISL’s education, outreach, and collaboration efforts.

VAPOR visualization of the East Troublesome fire in 2020 from a Grand Lake, Colorado, perspective.

VAPOR visualization of the East Troublesome fire in 2020 from a Grand Lake, Colorado, perspective. Video link.

Features include:

  • Large format, high-resolution (7680x3240) tiled video matrix
  • High-bandwidth networking
  • High-definition video teleconferencing
  • Wired and wireless desktop networking
  • Flexible media routing system that enables individual notebooks to feed into the room's display systems

Focus areas for the lab include:

  • High-performance visualization of large complex simulation data sets
  • Geographically distributed research and communication
  • Education and outreach to student, governmental, corporate, and scientific visitors
  • Immersive collaborative environments

NCAR visualization of Hurricane Odile, which swept across the Baja California Peninsula in September 2014.

NCAR visualization of Hurricane Odile, which swept across the Baja California Peninsula in September 2014.

The 1,000-square-foot facility supports video conferencing technologies, data analysis and visualization, and theater-style presentations in a widescreen, high-resolution format. The facility is equipped with a 4x3 tiled, 7680x3420-resolution, video display that gives researchers the capability to visualize massive data sets and numerical models. This system displays imagery and presentation materials simultaneously from multiple sources including user laptops, digital media systems, and video conferencing platforms.

The VisLab can comfortably seat about 35 people for a boardroom-style meeting and a few more for a theater-style presentation, and is a completely "fly-by-wire" system: the computers and audio systems are all operated by a dedicated touchpad display. VisLab events are managed by the Visualization & Analysis Systems Technologies (VAST) section.

To request a visualization demo, video conference, or other use of the VisLab, please use this form.