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Title: A demonstration and evaluation of trajectory mapping

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/469068· OSTI ID:469068
 [1]
  1. Rice Univ., Houston, TX (United States). Dept. of Space Physics and Astronomy

Problem of creating synoptic maps from asynoptically gathered data has prompted the development of a number schemes, the most notable being the Kalman filter, Salby-Fourier technique, and constituent reconstruction. This thesis presents a new technique, called trajectory mapping, which employs a simple model of air parcel motion to create synoptic maps from asynoptically gathered data. Four sources of trajectory mapping errors were analyzed; results showed that (1) the computational error is negligible; (2) measurement uncertainties can result in errors which grow with time scales of a week; (3) isentropic approximations lead to errors characterized by time scales of a week; and (4) wind field inaccuracies can cause significant errors in individual parcel trajectories in a matter of hours. All the studies, however, indicated that while individual trajectory errors can grow rapidly, constituent distributions, such as on trajectory maps, are much more robust, maintaining a high level of accuracy for periods on the order of several weeks. This technique was successfully applied to a variety of problems:(1) dynamical wave- breaking events; (2) satellite data validation for both instrument accuracy and precision; and (3) accuracy of meteorological wind fields. Such demonstrations imply that trajectory mapping will become an important tool in answering questions of global change, particularly the issue of ozone depletion.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge Inst. for Science and Education, TN (United States); Rice Univ., Houston, TX (United States). Dept. of Space Physics and Astronomy
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Research, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76OR00033
OSTI ID:
469068
Report Number(s):
ORISE-97052303; ON: DE97052303
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: Sep 1994
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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