ESDS Program

EOSDIS Tool Information

Client Partner Tools

NASA's Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs) provide an extensive variety of tools that make it easy for users to discover, access, manipulate and use NASA's Earth Observation System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) data products. These DAAC-unique tools have been developed by various EOS instrument teams, or by the DAACs and their data partners. Several categories of tools offer a wide range of functionality, from data discovery (search and order) to data use (visualization and analysis). Each category is given a brief description below. Many tools provide functionality overlapping multiple categories, for example subsetting, reprojection and data format conversion. Data visualization and analysis tools may also feature subsetting, regridding or mapping capabilities.

Search and Order Tools

Data discovery tools are available for users to quickly and efficiently find data products most useful to them, from simple text searches to more elaborate map-based searches with subsetting capability. Some tools combine search-and-order functions while others are stand-alone download applications. In some cases users can examine browse imagery prior to ordering to determine if search results meet user needs.

Data Handling Tools (Read/Ingest, Format Conversion, Data Manipulation)

Users can access data handling tools to perform a variety of functions. Some tools read HDF files and output the data to one or more types of formats e.g., NetCDF, GeoTIFF, jpg, binary, and Arc ASCII . Data manipulation capabilities include terrain correction (georectification), metadata extraction, data unpacking, and scaling. Tools in this section also let users filter data by various criteria; a number of these tools are also listed in the following section.

Subsetting and Filtering Tools (Temporal, Spatial, Parameter, Channel)

Subsetting and filtering tools allow users to find and access only those data of interest to them, i.e., for a specific geospatial location, time period, or geophysical parameter. For multispectral and multi-angle viewing instruments, data from particular spectral channels or viewing angles (cameras) can be subset and downloaded. For geospatial filtering, users can specify coordinates, select user defined regions from a map, or used pre-defined regions specified by the instrument teams or DAACs.

Geolocation, Reprojection, and Mapping Tools

Specific geolocation, reprojection, and mapping functions depend on particular instruments and their associated data tools. Capabilities include conversion from swath format to gridded data in a variety of map projections or gridded georeferenced images. Some tools allow importing data into Google Earth maps, and others allow conversion from one map projection (e.g., EASE-grid) to another.

See Data Tools for a comprehensive list of DAAC provided tools.

Additional Client Tools

Near Real-Time Imagery

EOSDIS also offers a variety of imagery tools that permit activities like interactive browsing, full resolution download, and access to near real-time satellite imagery—which visualizes the entire Earth as it looked within the past few hours. Applications range from hazard and disaster planning and Rapid Response to air quality measurements and weather forecasting.

Find out more about the near real-time imagery tools.

EOSDIS Data Search Tools

Earthdata Search provides users with the capability to search data holdings within EOSDIS by temporal or spatial dimensions. Spatial information is entered either by inputting coordinates or drawing a defined geographic region of interest on the provided map via a polygon tool. Once the time or area of interest is defined, results can be further filtered by features, archive center, project, platform, instrument, sensor, 2D coordinate name, processing level, and a variety of keyword levels. Also available is the option to view the orbital track of the satellite that procured the data, among several other specialty features.

Earthdata Search permits user searches of EOSDIS data holdings via specialized Earth science disciplines. The initial search requires choosing between atmosphere data, calibrated and solar radiance data, cryosphere data, human dimension data, land data, and ocean data. Next, the user can select a category of available measurements in the chosen discipline, and then continue to filter through the topic and dataset levels.

Client Developers

Looking for a fun project? Are you interested in developing your own client to integrate with smartphones, GPS, wearable devices, tablets, and the like? If yes, you have come to the right place.

Visit Client Developer User Guides API Technical Documentation to get started right away!

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