A Continuity of a quantity in a conical system to determine the velocity

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The discussion focuses on determining the 3D velocity field from radar images collected on conical surfaces with varying elevation angles. The researcher questions whether it is feasible to apply a continuity equation in a conical coordinate system, as opposed to the traditional polar coordinates, to utilize all collected data effectively. The challenge arises from the assumption of energy conservation in optimizing flow fields, particularly when total reflection may not be conserved. The researcher proposes the need to introduce a constant A_0 in the continuity equation to account for non-conservation of reflection. This inquiry highlights the complexities of modeling flow fields in non-standard coordinate systems while addressing conservation principles.
tworitdash
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My research is on radar images and the images are collected in several conical surfaces. These conical surfaces have the same origin, the same maximum length (max flare or max range), but different elevations angles. The images are collected on the surface of the cones only.

I want to determine the velocity field in 3D for this image. I have several measurements of the images in time. Usually, in the literature I have seen people using a continuity of the brightness itself (image) in time and space assuming that the reflection is conserved.

However, it is usually done in polar co-ordinates. It is due to the fact that the radial velocities (one component of the flow field in the polar coordinates) are also measured through a radar with Doppler effect.

I was wondering if it is possible to formulate it in a very generic way where I consider a conical coordinate system instead such that I can make use of all the cones? Or, is it a bad exercise ?

Furthermore, it is usually assumed that the energy is conserved so the following cost function is always imposed in optimizing for the flow fields:

$$ J = \left(\frac{\partial \eta}{\partial t} + V_r \frac{\partial \eta}{\partial r} + V_{\theta} \frac{\partial \eta}{r \partial \theta} + V_{\phi} \frac{\partial }{r \sin(\theta) } \frac{\partial\eta}{\partial \phi} \right)^2 $$.

However, if the total reflection is not conserved, how can I optimize for the flow field? Do I have to estimate a constant A_0 such that,

$$\frac{\partial \eta}{\partial t} + V_r \frac{\partial \eta}{\partial r} + V_{\theta} \frac{\partial \eta}{r \partial \theta} + V_{\phi} \frac{\partial }{r \sin(\theta) } \frac{\partial\eta}{\partial \phi} = A_0$$ ?, instead of 0 ?

The reflection or image is \eta, and the flow field is \vec{V}.
 
Hello, I'm joining this forum to ask two questions which have nagged me for some time. I am in no way trolling. They both are presumed obvious, yet don't make sense to me. Nobody will explain their positions, which is...uh...aka science. I also have a thread for the other question. Yes, I'm questioning the most elementary physics question we're given in this world. The classic elevator in motion question: A person is standing on a scale in an elevator that is in constant motion...

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