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Almost real
A PC version of the C6 virtual reality tornado is being utilized
in meteorology classrooms.
Books can only take you so far.
"If you're going to learn to ride a bike, you can read all the books
you can find, but eventually you're going to have to get a bike,"
said Doug Yarger, professor of atmospheric sciences.
"The same holds true for meteorology majors who want to learn about
tornadoes and other storms," he said.
Previously books and storm chasers provided the best source of information
on tornadoes. Now, in conjunction with the new C6 virtual reality complex
in Howe Hall, meteorology majors can experience tornadic activity first
hand.
According to Yarger, virtual reality provides a unique environment to
represent three-dimensional information using visual and aural displays
and allows for direct interaction with that information. Tornadic thunderstorms
have very complex three-dimensional structures hard to visualize in conventional
desktop monitor settings.
Virtual reality enables a user to "walk" inside the storm and
observe its complex structures and features as the storm develops. Placing
the user inside the storm is a very powerful tool that will provide researchers
and students new ways to investigate and understand their data.
"As meteorologists we have difficulty simulating a tornado,"
said Bill Gallus, assistant professor of atmospheric sciences. "This
(C6 version) is the first step in the right direction and is the just
the first of what can be many virtual reality applications we can use
in meteorology."
Because of the high demand for C6, meteorology students can't just walk
in and view the storm on the virtual reality system. But a PC version
of the same program has been developed and was first viewed at the Iowa
State Fair in early August. Now meteorology students can get the same
virtual reality feel first hand.
The tornadic storm allows the user to drive around the storm set in the
Iowa countryside. Along their way to the storm, the user will drive down
country roads while passing farmhouses, barns and fields.
Currently Yarger and Gallus are utilizing the program in a junior level
meteorology course. "The students use visual clues while they are
going around the storm to see what's going on in this environment,"
Gallus said.
Gallus describes the virtual tornado storm as a work in progress. Originally
funded by a Miller Grant, both professors hope that additional funding
can be obtained to add such sounds as lightly falling rain, hail stones,
thunder and the approaching roar of the tornado.
In the current version, the tornadic storm remains in the same location.
Yarger and Gallus hope future versions will have the storm moving across
the countryside. They are also exploring the possibility of adding traditional
3D glasses to the PC version.
"We would also love to have students be able to 'fly' into the storm
and the tornado," Gallus said, "and then use the information
they find to know what is really happening in the storm."
Bill Gallus
Around LAS
October 16-22, 2000
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