ESTEREOSCOPIA DE BAIXO CUSTO PARA DIVULGAÇÃO CIENTÍFICA: PRODUÇÃO DE PARES TRIDIMENSIONAIS E AVALIAÇÃO VISUAL EM ATIVIDADES DE EXTENSÃO

Abstract

Stereoscopy is a technique that enables three-dimensional (3D) visualization from two-dimensional (2D) images acquired from different viewing angles, providing the perception of depth and spatial relationships. This study investigated the creation of stereoscopic image pairs using images obtained from the free Google Earth Pro software and drone imagery, with the aim of producing low-cost stereoscopic pairs for science communication. Six areas characterized by rugged terrain in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, were analyzed: Morro do Ernesto, Morro do Paxixi, Parque Natural Municipal Templo dos Pilares, gullies located in the municipalities of Bandeirantes and Figueirão, and a quarry in Rio Verde de Mato Grosso. The images were acquired with 60% overlap between consecutive photographs in Google Earth Pro and 70% overlap for the drone images, values considered suitable for the generation of stereoscopic pairs. The stereoscopic pairs were subsequently printed and analyzed using both mirror and pocket stereoscopes. The stereoscopic pairs with the best three-dimensional visualization were presented to the general public during the GeoDia outreach event held at the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), where a questionnaire was administered to 48 participants to evaluate the perception of three-dimensionality and the interpretation of landforms. Among the participants, 85.4% identified the landforms with ease or great ease, indicating that three-dimensional visualization enhanced the spatial perception of the landscape. It is concluded that the proposed methodology enables the production of low-cost stereoscopic images and has considerable potential for science communication activities in the Geosciences.