Results

Initial Results

The first successful import of the data into Data Explorer produced not quite satisfactory results. Although the data set size had been considerable reduced, there were still a high number of artifacts (0 value points) left in the data. This resulted in strange representations, as demonstrated here. Of particular note were the large and chunky glyphs which appeared to reprsent the data, and particularly appeared in precise circles around the center of the data set. What did these axes represent? They are clearly not part of the weather phenomenon, and needed to be eliminated.



Secondary Results

After refiltering the data files, all of the 0 value coordinates were eliminated. Far cleaner data resulted. The first image and left shows an overhead view of the data set at the second time step. The false color shows areas of high reflectivity in red, lower in green, in a rainbow pallette. the volume as been rendered with each data point being represented by a single pixel. The sweeping nature of Doppler radar data gathering causes these points to spread moving out from the center.

Click the thumbnail to see an animated version of the time steps, viewed from overhead (168K animated GIF).

Experiments in changing the color pallette lead to this image of a single time step, viewed from above.

Further Refinements

With a good data set to use, the advantages of Data Explorer could be brought to bear. For these data sets, the weather pattern was artificially heightened to allow a better view of each individual sweep. In viewing these results, certain questions arise. Is the system rotating? Is the gap in the center really a function of the radar? Is it part of the weather pattern? Looking at the results it is hard to perceive of the image of being that of something moving over a central point which is empty due to the limitations of the observing device.

The first visualization uses points and a rainbow scale to represent the system. It is placed on a grid to give a sense of the scale of the phenomena - approxiamatelly 60 to 80 kilometers in diamter.

The second visualization attempts to give a more natural look to the data by employing a blue to white color pallete and glyphs to add volume to the image.