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GIS at NASA Data Access and Tools
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is designed to capture, store, manage, analyze, and visualize all types of geographical data. NASA offers a range of free, open-access tools, services, and applications to optimize your research.
NASA Earth Science GIS Data Tools
GIS connects a wide range of geospatial data to a map and integrates location data (where things are) with various types of descriptive information (what things are like there). The vision of NASA's Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Program is to identify and deliver high value Earth science data in formats compliant and compatible with GIS standards; to ensure data are interactive, interoperable, accessible, and GIS-enabled through primary GIS platforms; and to provide the maximum impact to research, education, and public user communities requiring data visualization and spatial analysis.
Earthdata provides a range of data tools for accessing and using GIS-based Earth science data. In general, these tools require a basic understanding of GIS and GIS-based applications. If you are unfamiliar with GIS or want more information about some of the terms and concepts described below, view more information about the basics of GIS.
GIS at NASA Data Tools
| Tool Sort descending | Description | Services | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASF ArcGIS Toolbox | The ASF_Tools ArcGIS Python Toolbox can be used with either ArcGIS Desktop or ArcGIS Pro, and contains tools that perform geoprocessing tasks useful for working with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. | Processing | |
| Convert to Vector | Transform point or scene information to formats compatible with Google Earth, GIS, and other tools. | Reformatting | |
| Earthdata GIS | Earthdata GIS is a resource for distributing cloud-native, GIS-ready NASA Earth science data and services, including over 200 raster and feature geospatial services as well as resources such as thematic applications and ArcGIS StoryMaps. | Analysis, Search and Discovery, Visualization, Geoprocessing | |
| FIRMS | The Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) provides access to satellite imagery, active fire/hotspots, and related products to identify the location, extent, and intensity of wildfire activity. | ||
| Panoply | Panoply is a cross-platform application that plots geo-referenced and other arrays from netCDF, HDF, GRIB, and other datasets. | Comparison | |
| VEDA | NASA's Visualization, Exploration, and Data Analysis (VEDA) project is an open-source science cyberinfrastructure for data processing, visualization, exploration, and geographic information systems (GIS) capabilities. | Analysis, Processing, Visualization |
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