User Guide
Interactive Radar Data Visualization
Overview
The radar tool visualizes the radar data from the Partnair accident on September 8, 1989. The tool displays radar plots from multiple sources on an interactive map, with the ability to play back events along a timeline.
Requirements: The radar tool requires a tablet or computer – it is not optimized for mobile phones.
Screen Layout
The screen is divided into four main areas:
Left Panel – Data Sources
Shows all available radar sources. From here you can select which sources and aircraft to display on the map.
Center – Map
Interactive map displaying the radar plots. Zoom with the scroll wheel or the buttons in the top left corner.
Right Panel – Plot Info
Displays detailed information about a selected radar plot, including position, altitude, speed, and heading.
Bottom Bar – Timeline
Timeline for playback of the radar data. Drag the slider to navigate through time.
Data Sources
The radar data comes from multiple sources that had different coverage of the area:
- AWACS – NATO surveillance aircraft with 360° radar coverage. The most complete source.
- Mågerø – Norwegian military radar. Covered the northern part of the Skagerrak.
- Skagen – Danish radar at the northern tip of Jutland.
Each source has its own colour coding on the map. You can toggle individual sources and aircraft on and off in the left panel.
Controls
Top Bar
- Map type – Choose between different map layers (Streets, Satellite, etc.)
- Markers – Show or hide marker icons for radar plots
- Lines – Show or hide lines connecting the plots
- Labels – Show or hide text labels on the plots
- Wreck area – Show or hide the wreckage area marking
- Ruler – Activate the ruler tool to measure distances on the map
Left Panel
- Checkbox – Toggle the display of each aircraft
- Coloured circle – Click to change the track colour
- Gear icon – Open settings for the data source
- Export button – Export the data
- Time offset – Adjust time offset between sources (−10, −1, 0, +1, +10 seconds)
Timeline (Bottom)
- ⏪ – Rewind
- ▶ – Play / pause
- ⏩ – Fast forward
- 1× – Change playback speed
- ◎ – Follow active track (auto-centre the map)
- 🔄 – Reset timeline
Keyboard Shortcuts
- Space – Play / pause
- ← → – Step backward / forward in time
Clicking on Radar Plots
Click on a radar plot (marker) on the map to view detailed information in the right panel:
- Plot ID – Identifier for the specific plot
- Track ID – Track identifier
- Source – Which radar source the plot originates from
- Time – The time of recording
- Latitude / Longitude – Geographic position
- Altitude – Altitude
- Heading – Heading in degrees
- Speed – Speed
- Squawk (3A) – Transponder code
- Mode C (3C) – Altitude reading from transponder
Tips
Comparing sources: Use the time offset to adjust the synchronization between different radar sources. This is useful for investigating whether different radar stations recorded the same event at slightly different times.
Measuring distances: Use the ruler tool to measure the distance between two points on the map. This can be used to calculate the distance between aircraft.
Focus on one aircraft: Hide other aircraft in the left panel to focus on a single aircraft's route and radar data.