Research Note #24 - Showing GCOM-C/SLGI Dataset Header/Metadata

One of the most important things to do while working with binary satellite data is checking the header/metadata of the dataset. By doing so, you could know the dimensions, parameters, variables and attributes of the data which will be needed for analysis (with program, script, etc.). These are three methods to show the GCOM-C/SLGI dataset header and attributes. I made this post because I always forget the quickest way to do it and ended up wasting too much time just for knowing some attributes of the data.

1. Using HDF View

This is definitely the quickest way and the most convenient way to check the headers and attributes of HDF data file. It works perfectly with MODIS as well as GCOM-C/SLGI. Just open the HDF file, and browse into the dataset directories. Simple!

2. Using h5dump

Works in similar fashion with ncdump. Just type the command and you're good to go. Not so convenient for non-Linux user.

Example:

h5dump -H <filename> --> Show header contents of a datafile

h5dump -a /Image_data/LST/Slope <filename> --> Show the contents of attribute 'Slope' (scaling factor) of dataset 'LST' of a datafile

3. Using SGLI Tool

This is by far the most not-convenient way to see the headers. Not only it's slow and taking so much of system resources, it also shows the header only (no attributes). To see the header, open a HDF file and go to Menu->View->Meta Data.