3D Globe Image Design for Possible use by National Geographic Magazine.

Rudolf Husar, rhusar@mecf.wustl.edu , 314 935 6099

February 22, 2000 

Rev: March 13, 2000

Background

National Geographic Magazine is working on an ocean story and they have expressed interest in a 3D globe image similar to the one used for the 20x10 foot NASA EOS exhibit backdrop, and the NASA EOSDIS poster. For the story, they need

- view of the Pacific, and partially the Americas with high resolution land data

- ocean data for sea surface temperature or surface wind speed

- 3D clouds

The purpose of this note is to (1) record the design process on this web-page to serve as 'organizational memory' for later recollection; (2) foster further design suggestions and feedback with the NG staff (3) learn how to use the web as a medium for open communication and consensus building.

Data Layers

For the NG Magazine image design the following layers were tested:

1. Land – SeaWiFS

2. Sea Surface: Sea Surface Wind Speed (NASA NSCAT); Ocean productivity (chlorophyll); Temperature –(UWisconsin, Madision), or

3. Clouds - GOES, Meteosat, GMS5 (UWisconsin, Madision)

Rendering Variables

In terms of rendering the 3D globe image we can change Lat/Lon/Height position of the eye as well as the content of the data layers. Below are some options to start the discussion. The rendering below is in coarse resolution (800x800 pixels). The full resolution image(s) will be at 4000x4000 pixels. Click on the images for a larger (800x800) version.

Position of the Eye

The eye is 100,000 km from the Earth at 10 deg. North latitude. The longitudes are –100, -60,-20,20,60 and 100

Cloud Density

In the symbolic globe image, the cloud cover was significantly reduced in order to have more of the Earth surface visible. I cut out some low clouds (with high IR temperature). Without cloud thinning, not much of the Earth is visible - see what I mean by 'symbolic' image?

These are two cloud cover densities. Previously I used the left (thin) cloud density. If we use the dense cloud density, not much of the ocean is visible.