Remote sensing information visualization using volume based objects in world wind

Visualization of remotely-sensed meteorological data has traditionally consisted of two dimensional maps. However, the technological advancements in recent years have allowed data to be collected in new and unique ways and with greatly increased range and density. In particular, data are now collected at discrete locations within a volume, as opposed to points on a surface. The data volume, as opposed to an image, necessitates a different form of visualization. Unlike common techniques that stick on two dimensional maps, the main focus for the new techniques is showing the precipitation and other meteorological data in a more intuitive manner. This paper will introduce one of several possible ways to visualize a volume dataset. In this particular case rain intensity values gathered by NASA´s TRMM satellite deliver a stereotypic volume dataset.