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Data Access
FTPS from SPDF (not with most browsers)
HTTPS from SPDF
CDAWeb
HAPI: CDAWeb HAPI Server
Polar Visible Imaging System 24-sec Key Parameters
var authors='Frank, Louis, A.';
document.write(authors);
(2025).
Polar Visible Imaging System 24-sec Key Parameters.
[Data set].
Space Physics Data Facility.
https://doi.org/10.48322/e5xp-rw71. Accessed on document.write(currentDateStr);.
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ResourceID
spase://NASA/DisplayData/POLAR/VIS/PT240S
Description
This dataset contains the investigator-selected Key Parameters from the Polar Visible Imaging System (VIS). The VIS key parameter data set is a survey of auroral activity provided by a series of single images showing a significant area of the auroral zone at visible wavelengths. An auroral image of 256 x 256 pixels is produced approximately every 24 seconds dependent on the integration time and filter selected. Some coordinate information is included for viewer orientation. Coordinates are calculated for a grid of 18 x 18 points corresponding to one pixel out of every 15 x 15 pixel block. In addition, a rotation matrix and a table of distortion-correcting look direction unit vectors are provided for the purpose of calculating coordinates for every pixel.
To facilitate viewing of the images, a mapping of pixel value to a recommended color table based on the characteristics of the selected filter is included with each image.
A relative intensity scale is provided by the uncompressed count table of variable 27. Approximate intensity levels in kiloRayleighs are given in the intensity table of variable 28. The VIS site at http://eiger.physics.uiowa.edu/~vis/software contains information on the availability of more precisely calibrated intensities.
The data set also contains various imager-related parameters, plus spacecraft position and velocity vectors, spin axis unit vector, and the sun position unit vector, all in GCI coordinates. Times are given in both the CDF-standard Epoch and the ISTP-standard Time_PB5.
Metadata Rights
CC0-1.0:
Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal
Note
CC0 1.0 Universal is the Creative Commons license applicable to all publicly available SPASE metadata descriptions. The actual data/software may be subject to a different license.
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Details
Version:2.7.1
DisplayData
ResourceID
spase://NASA/DisplayData/POLAR/VIS/PT240S
NamingAuthority
NASA
ResourceType
DisplayData
ResourceHeader
ResourceName
Polar Visible Imaging System 24-sec Key Parameters
DOI
https://doi.org/10.48322/e5xp-rw71
ReleaseDate
2026-06-26 15:10:51Z
RevisionHistory
RevisionEvent
ReleaseDate
2021-04-27 15:38:11Z
Note
Only known prior ReleaseDate of the metadata
RevisionEvent
ReleaseDate
2025-12-04 13:28:01Z
Note
Added MetadataRightsList and RightsList(s). Added ResourceType and NamingAuthority. Updated to 2.7.1. Changed http to https in top-level schemaLocation attribute. Fixed version number separator in top-level schemaLocation attribute. ZCB
RevisionEvent
ReleaseDate
2026-02-06 12:31:04Z
Note
Added DOI and Publication Info
RevisionEvent
ReleaseDate
2026-06-26 15:10:51Z
Note
Add 'Z' to RevisionEvent:ReleaseDate(s), TemporalDescription:TimeSpan:StartDate, TemporalDescription:TimeSpan:StopDate. ZCB
Description
This dataset contains the investigator-selected Key Parameters from the Polar Visible Imaging System (VIS). The VIS key parameter data set is a survey of auroral activity provided by a series of single images showing a significant area of the auroral zone at visible wavelengths. An auroral image of 256 x 256 pixels is produced approximately every 24 seconds dependent on the integration time and filter selected. Some coordinate information is included for viewer orientation. Coordinates are calculated for a grid of 18 x 18 points corresponding to one pixel out of every 15 x 15 pixel block. In addition, a rotation matrix and a table of distortion-correcting look direction unit vectors are provided for the purpose of calculating coordinates for every pixel.
To facilitate viewing of the images, a mapping of pixel value to a recommended color table based on the characteristics of the selected filter is included with each image.
A relative intensity scale is provided by the uncompressed count table of variable 27. Approximate intensity levels in kiloRayleighs are given in the intensity table of variable 28. The VIS site at http://eiger.physics.uiowa.edu/~vis/software contains information on the availability of more precisely calibrated intensities.
The data set also contains various imager-related parameters, plus spacecraft position and velocity vectors, spin axis unit vector, and the sun position unit vector, all in GCI coordinates. Times are given in both the CDF-standard Epoch and the ISTP-standard Time_PB5.
PublicationInfo
Authors
Frank, Louis, A.
PublicationDate
2025-04-25 20:29:03.000Z
PublishedBy
Space Physics Data Facility
Contacts
Role
Person
StartDate
StopDate
Note
1.
GeneralContactPrincipalInvestigator
spase://SMWG/Person/Louis.A.Frank
PriorIDs
spase://VSPO/DisplayData/P_POLAR_HDR_VIS_K0
spase://VSPO/DisplayData/POLAR/VIS/PT240S
AccessInformation
RepositoryID
spase://SMWG/Repository/NASA/GSFC/SPDF/CDAWeb
Availability
Online
AccessRights
Open
RightsList
Rights
SchemeURI
https://spdx.org/licenses/
RightsIdentifierScheme
SPDX
RightsIdentifier
CC0-1.0
RightsURI
https://spdx.org/licenses/CC0-1.0.html
RightsName
Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal
Note
CC0 1.0 Universal is the Creative Commons license applicable to all publicly available NASA Heliophysics data products
AccessURL
Name
FTPS from SPDF (not with most browsers)
URL
ftps://spdf.gsfc.nasa.gov/pub/data/polar/vis/vis_k0/
AccessURL
Name
HTTPS from SPDF
URL
https://spdf.gsfc.nasa.gov/pub/data/polar/vis/vis_k0/
Description
In CDF via HTTP from CDAWeb
AccessURL
Name
CDAWeb
URL
https://cdaweb.gsfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/eval2.cgi?dataset=PO_K0_VIS&index=sp_phys
ProductKey
PO_K0_VIS
Format
CDF
AccessDirectoryTemplate
https://cdaweb.gsfc.nasa.gov/pub/data/polar/vis/vis_k0/$Y
AccessFilenameTemplate
po_k0_vis_$Y$m$d_$v.cdf
AccessInformation
RepositoryID
spase://SMWG/Repository/NASA/GSFC/SPDF
Availability
Online
AccessRights
Open
RightsList
Rights
SchemeURI
https://spdx.org/licenses/
RightsIdentifierScheme
SPDX
RightsIdentifier
CC0-1.0
RightsURI
https://spdx.org/licenses/CC0-1.0.html
RightsName
Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal
Note
CC0 1.0 Universal is the Creative Commons license applicable to all publicly available NASA Heliophysics data products
AccessURL
Name
CDAWeb HAPI Server
URL
https://cdaweb.gsfc.nasa.gov/hapi
Style
HAPI
ProductKey
PO_K0_VIS
Description
Web Service to this product using the HAPI interface.
Format
CSV
ProviderProcessingLevel
CALIBRATED
InstrumentIDs
spase://SMWG/Instrument/POLAR/VIS
MeasurementType
ImageIntensity
TemporalDescription
TimeSpan
StartDate
1996-11-01 00:00:00Z
StopDate
2008-04-28 00:00:00Z
Cadence
PT240S
ObservedRegion
Earth.NearSurface.Ionosphere