On 5/17/11 8:46 AM, Benno Blumenthal wrote:
I have a trajectory dataset

I think a clarification is needed here: What is a "trajectory" in this use?

I've seen it used for measured locations of various drifters, and also for the path of particles or whatever, as predicted by a model. If the later, then I can see why the forecast_* names may make sense.

is pretty much on the mark:  I was using the word "period" because the
standard_name's grammar suggests using period for a time interval and
saving "time" for temporal with reference time, though "elapsed_period"
sounds a bit strange to my ears.

What exactly are you trying to express for "period" in this case?

 > As for my using "forecast_reference_time",  I am willing to accept the
judgment that it is not what I want, but I can't say that it is all
that clear.

frankly, it's not clear to me either, but I'd like to know what it means -- I work with others' forecasts a fair bit.

I interpret it as the time the initial conditions, etc. were collected -- that would often be the time the computation started -- so it would be one time, not a sequence. (for one forecast run, anyway)

Is that at all right?

Forecasts are integrations from initial conditions a.k.a
the analysis, which is precisely what happens in a trajectory --

so in this case, you are referring to a modeled (or forecasted) trajectory? In which case, yes, it seems the start time for that could be the "forecast_reference_time".

-Chris





--
Christopher Barker, Ph.D.
Oceanographer

Emergency Response Division
NOAA/NOS/OR&R            (206) 526-6959   voice
7600 Sand Point Way NE   (206) 526-6329   fax
Seattle, WA  98115       (206) 526-6317   main reception

[email protected]
_______________________________________________
CF-metadata mailing list
[email protected]
http://mailman.cgd.ucar.edu/mailman/listinfo/cf-metadata

Reply via email to