---
license: cc-by-sa-4.0
task_categories:
  - image-classification
  - object-detection
tags:
  - vortex
  - fluid-dynamics
  - astronomy
  - nebula
  - tornado
  - waterspout
  - CNN
  - vortex-detection
pretty_name: Vortex Vision Training Data
size_categories:
  - n<1K
---

# Vortex Vision Training Data

Multi-scale vortex structure training images for the [vortex-vision](https://github.com/JimGalasyn/vortex-vision) CNN/GNN pipeline.

## Overview

This dataset contains labeled images of vortex structures across physical scales, from atmospheric phenomena (tornadoes, waterspouts, jellyfish clouds) to astronomical objects (nebular pillars, proplyds, filaments). The goal is to train a neural network that identifies vortex morphologies (columns, rings, braids, Y-junctions, X-crossings, kinks) independent of scale and medium.

## Organization

```
atmospheric/
├── waterspouts/     # Waterspout photographs
├── tornadoes/       # Tornado photographs
└── clouds/          # Jellyfish clouds, funnel clouds
nebular/
├── pillars/         # Eagle Nebula, Carina, IC 1396A, etc.
├── proplyds/        # Protoplanetary disks in Orion, etc.
├── jets/            # Protostellar jets
└── filaments/       # Galactic center, dust lanes
laboratory/          # Smoke rings, PIV, superfluid He
simulation/          # GPE and Biot-Savart simulation outputs
```

## Catalog

The catalog metadata (object definitions, observation records, feature annotations) is maintained in the main [vortex-vision](https://github.com/JimGalasyn/vortex-vision) repository under `data/catalog/` and `data/annotations/`. Image filenames in the catalog reference paths in this dataset.

## Key Objects

| Object ID | Name | Scale | Features |
|-----------|------|-------|----------|
| neb_pillar_001 | IC 1396A Elephant Trunk | Nebular | Ring, braid, Y-junction, virga, self-similar sub-ring |
| atmo_waterspout_001 | Whitsunday Waterspout | Atmospheric | Resolved braid, ring at base and top |
| atmo_tornado_001 | Y-Junction Tornado | Atmospheric | Textbook Y-junction |
| atmo_waterspout_002 | Po River Delta Merger | Atmospheric | Time-resolved vortex reconnection (4 frames) |

## Vortex Feature Taxonomy

- **Column**: Elongated vortex filament
- **Ring**: Toroidal vortex (ring vortex)
- **Braid**: Two or more filaments wound around shared axis
- **Y-junction**: Three filaments meeting at a point (merge or split)
- **X-crossing**: Two filaments crossing/reconnecting
- **Kink**: Sharp bend in a filament (possibly from embedded ring)
- **Kelvin wave**: Helical oscillation along a filament
- **Virga**: Entrained material draping from a ring vortex

## License

Individual image licenses vary — see the observation catalog for per-image attribution and license information. Dataset structure and annotations are CC-BY-SA 4.0.