An open source virtual globe rendering engine for 3D applications: NASA World Wind

Background: NASA World Wind is an open source application-programming interface for developing geographic information systems based on a virtual globe rendering engine representing a planet. NASA World Wind provides the ideal environment for scientific data, their analysis, visual representation and interaction with users, in a single platform, which can be deployed both as a Java desktop application (NASA World Wind) or a JavaScript web application (ESA-NASA Web World Wind). Results: We give here an overview of the project, reporting details regarding current development direction, with state of the art examples. The European Space Agency is now partnering with NASA on development of the "ESANASA Web World Wind"; this high degree of interest from other agencies will boost future project productivity. Conclusions: With this contribution, we want to increase awareness of NASA World Wind as a unique opportunity to foster collaboration between scientists, developers and other stakeholders, enriching knowledge of our Earth’s complexity.