This image of the eastern United States was taken with the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) on board NASAs SeaStar spacecraft in spring of 2000. Using SeaWiFS images, Ohio State University engineers determined which computer algorithms did the best job of processing satellite data to measure the amount of algae in lake Erie. Image courtesy of NASA.

The image above was created by a computer model that greatly underestimated the amount of algae in Lake Erie, based on satellite images. Engineers at Ohio State University recently determined which computer models did the best job. Here, algae blooms appear red. Image courtesy of Ohio State University.

This image below was created by a computer model that accurately estimated the amount of algae in Lake Erie, based on satellite images. Engineers at Ohio State University recently determined which computer models did the best job. Here, algae blooms appear red. Image courtesy of Ohio State University.