Difference between revisions of "Earth Science Data: Why So Difficult?"

From Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP)
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** First, [http://www.giss.nasa.gov/tools/panoply/ download Panoply], an easy to use Java-based viewer for netCDF, HDF and GRIB data
 
** First, [http://www.giss.nasa.gov/tools/panoply/ download Panoply], an easy to use Java-based viewer for netCDF, HDF and GRIB data
 
** Open up Panoply, go to File-> Open Remote File, and paste in the following URL (N.B.: without .html extension):  <nowiki>http://acdisc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/opendap/HDF-EOS5/Aura_OMI_Level3/OMDOAO3e.003/2004/OMI-Aura_L3-OMDOAO3e_2004m1001_v003-2008m0222t095640.he5</nowiki>. (Hint:  Try viewing ColumnAmountO3 with a Map Projection of Azimuthal Equidistant Centered on 0 E, -90 N, for a good look at the ozone hole.)
 
** Open up Panoply, go to File-> Open Remote File, and paste in the following URL (N.B.: without .html extension):  <nowiki>http://acdisc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/opendap/HDF-EOS5/Aura_OMI_Level3/OMDOAO3e.003/2004/OMI-Aura_L3-OMDOAO3e_2004m1001_v003-2008m0222t095640.he5</nowiki>. (Hint:  Try viewing ColumnAmountO3 with a Map Projection of Azimuthal Equidistant Centered on 0 E, -90 N, for a good look at the ozone hole.)
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* Convert AIRS L2 Swath to netCDF/CF-1 and view in IDV!
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** First, [http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/software/idv/ download IDV]
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** Then, [http://aurapar2u.ecs.nasa.gov/airspar1/daac-bin/OTF/HTTP_services.cgi?FILENAME=%2Fdata%2Fs4pa%2FAqua_AIRS_Level2%2FAIRX2RET.005%2F2007%2F238%2FAIRS.2007.08.26.128.L2.RetStd.v5.0.14.0.G07240214754.hdf&LABEL=AIRS.2007.08.26.128.L2.RetStd.v5.0.14.0.G07240214754.nc&SHORTNAME=AIRX2RET&SERVICE=NetCDF&VERSION=1.02 acquire the AIRS data in netCDF form] (this URL will execute an on-the-fly reformatting.)
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** Then us the Data Chooser to read the data in. Hint:  Look at the

Revision as of 17:23, February 3, 2010

Abstract

Assembling a multi-sensor set of data for, say, a volcanic eruption means days of wandering cyberspace to find data and pry it loose from the custom search interfaces that jealously guard it. Following the Search is a slog of weeks reading format and QA documents, then cobbling together code to beat the data into a form that can be used safely in analysis tools. Why so difficult?$%#@^%!???

Above rant to be followed by a (mostly) calm and rational discussion of ways toward a solution.

Presentation (PDF)

Further Exploration

Interested in learning more about the technologies mentioned in this presentation? Here are some places to go and things to do:

Check out the ESIP Federated Search cluster for distributed search on a shoestring

Explore the wonders of OPeNDAP