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
> Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 9RB, UK
> Registration No: 2985431 / VAT No: GB 655475606
> Tel: +44 (0) 1491 820500 (Switchboard) / Tel: +44 (0) 1491 820559
> (Direct) / Fax: +44 (0) 1491 820599
> E-mail: _g.comiskey at geos.com_ <mailto:g.comiskey at g.comiskey_at_geos.com>/
> Website: _www.geos.com_ <http://www.geos.com/>
> Please note:
>
> *
> The information contained in this message is privileged and
> confidential and intended only for the use of the addresses. If
> you are not the intended recipient you should not read, copy,
> distribute or otherwise use the information;
> *
> Fugro Global Environment & Ocean Sciences accepts no
> responsibility for loss or damage of any kind arising from the
> use of this message;
> *
> If you have received this message in error, please note the
> sender immediately and delete the message.
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> CF-metadata mailing list
> CF-metadata at cgd.ucar.edu
> http://mailman.cgd.ucar.edu/mailman/listinfo/cf-metadata
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <
http://mailman.cgd.ucar.edu/pipermail/cf-metadata/attachments/20110716/ad57fbae/attachment-0001.html>
Received on Sat Jul 16 2011 - 09:01:20 BST
