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[CF-metadata] Units: degrees - COARDS/CF Convention

From: John Caron <caron>
Date: Sat, 16 Jul 2011 09:01:20 -0600

On 7/14/2011 8:48 AM, Comiskey, Glenn wrote:
> Hi,
> The use of the variable unit value "degrees" would appear to discount
> a data set from being both COARDS and CF compliant, at least according
> to the CF conventions document, i.e. v1.5, section 3.1 states "The
> COARDS convention prohibits the unit "degrees" altogether" while also
> stating "this unit is not forbidden by the CF convention". Is this in
> fact true?
> The COARDS convention does indeed state, when refering to UDUNITS,
> "names therein...will be regarded as acceptable unit names for this
> standard with the following additions and deletions: "degrees" -
> deleted". However, it then goes on to say "The unit "degrees" creates
> ambiguities when attempting to differentiate longitude and latitude
> coordinate variables; files must use "degrees_east"...and
> "degrees_north"".
> Is it not a case that the COARDS convention is disallowing the use of
> the "degrees" value simply for coordinate variables, and subsequently
> mandating the use of "degrees_east" and "degrees_north", to remove any
> potential ambiguity with regards to the position the data relates,
> i.e. COARDS requires "degrees_east" and "degrees_north" for
> coordinates variables, but allows uses of "degrees" for a data
> variable such wind direction (NOTE: I am aware that the CF standard
> canonical unit is "degree").
> Is there some convention (pun intended :-) to interpretating the
> COARDS convention as meaning that "degrees" is prohibited, period?

Hi glenn:

"degrees" is a valid udunit for things like wind direction. It is not
allowed as a unit for lat or lon, period. I think that is how you are
interpreting it above.

john


> Kind regards,
> Glenn Comiskey
> Data System Administrator
> Fugro Global Environment & Ocean Sciences
> Fugro House, Hithercroft Road
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> E-mail: _g.comiskey at geos.com_ <mailto:g.comiskey at g.comiskey_at_geos.com>/
> Website: _www.geos.com_ <http://www.geos.com/>
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