Interactive 3D Earth Models in Unity to Visualise TROPOMI Satellite Climate Data

Climate data is complex to understand and observe with variables covering the 3D surface of the globe and changing over time. Consequently, it is difficult to convey rich climate information through static 2D images. To address this, we designed and built interactive 3D Earth models using the Unity game engine to visualise data from the Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) satellite. These virtual world models aim to help researchers share climate insights more effectively and make them accessible to the public. 

The immersive environment presents the use of a number of 3D Earth objects. The first one displays the ‘XCH4’ variable (column-averaged dry-air mole fraction of methane in ppb) for an entire month, allowing the user to cycle through months via a controller. The Earth spins on its axis, automatically displaying methane concentrations, while the user can manually adjust the view to inspect regions of interest. A second Earth object features an automatic animation displaying the density of data points collected by the TROPOMI satellite as days progress. We also render auxiliary reference globes without thematic overlays and include a 2D static plot of atmospheric Methane (ppb) for 2023 for comparison. 

The entire layout is optimised for immersive systems, specifically where the user is positioned centrally within a 360-degree display ring, such as the Reality Emulator at the University of Bristol, a VR-enabled ‘CAVE’ system. Audience feedback thus far has been highly positive: the immersive 3D visualisation gave participants a clearer view of methane concentrations across the Earth and deepened their interest in the planet’s atmosphere. It also sparked curiosity about the factors affecting atmospheric composition, prompting many questions about methane sources and satellite monitoring. This setup demonstrates the potential of virtual reality in communicating high-dimensional earth science data.