Test Trajectory Calculation

From the top bar of the main menu select the Trajectory / Quick Start / Run Example menu tabs. The Run Example tab initiates a windows only program that displays a source selection menu. On non-windows system, the calculation just proceeds without any prompts. A left-click resets the source location, while a right-click closes the selection window. For the purposes of this test, just right-click to accept the default location, which then results in window termination message. Select Yes and then ...

1. A control file is created in the working directory with the starting time, location, meteorological data file name, and trajectory endpoints output file name.


2. The trajectory model is then run which creates an ASCII output file with the endpoint locations.


3. A trajectory plotting program is run which reads the endpoints file and creates the Postscript graphics file.


4. The Postscript graphic is displayed using Ghostview.

The display of the three-trajectory graphic means that all the HYSPLIT components have been correctly installed. In subsequent simulations through the GUI, the Quick Start menu would normally not be used because it automatically combines three individual steps: configuring the model simulation, running the simulation, and converting the output to a graphical format. These components will be explored in more detail individually. Many of the features available through the GUI apply to trajectory as well as air concentration calculations. After testing the air concentration simulation in the next section, the trajectory calculations will be explored in more detail.