Earth Science Data: Why So Difficult?

From Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP)

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

See what you can do with netCDF/CF-1 formatted data

  • Convert AIRS L2 Swath to netCDF/CF-1 and view in IDV!
    • First, download IDV
    • Then, acquire the AIRS data in netCDF form (this URL will execute an on-the-fly reformatting.)
    • Then us the Data Chooser to read the data in.
    • Select a parameter under 2D-Grids in the Field Selector, and "Color-Shaded Plan View" under Displays. Hint: the CO_total_column parameter under the 2D grids shows carbon monoxide emanating from fires in Greece in Aug 2007.