xcube for Spatiotemporal Data Analysis and Visualization
Date: 2023-08-30, 15:30–17:00 Speaker: Alicja Balfanz
Introduction to xcube
This session provided an in-depth exploration of xcube, an open-source Python package based on xarray, designed for Earth observation (EO) data analysis. The focus was on transforming EO data into analysis-ready, self-contained data cubes suitable for cloud publishing.
xcube is an innovative open-source software package developed primarily for processing and analyzing Earth Observation (EO) data. Based on the xarray package, xcube is designed to handle spatiotemporal data efficiently, making it a powerful tool in the field of remote sensing and geospatial data analysis.
Key Features of xcube
- Data Cube Technology: xcube transforms traditional EO data into multidimensional data cubes, making it easier to manipulate and analyze large datasets over space and time.
- Analysis-Ready Data: The package focuses on providing data in an analysis-ready format. This means that users can spend less time on data preprocessing and more on actual analysis.
- Cloud Compatibility: xcube’s data cubes can be published and stored in the cloud, facilitating easy access and scalable analysis.
- Support for Various EO Data Sources: xcube is designed to work with data from various EO missions, including but not limited to Landsat and Sentinel. This makes it versatile for different types of environmental analysis.
Workshop Objectives and Coverage
- xcube Ecosystem: Introduction to the ecosystem surrounding xcube, including its software components and functionalities.
- Data Cube Generation: Learning how xcube converts various EO data sources into accessible data cubes.
- Spatiotemporal Analysis and Visualization: Hands-on experience in using these data cubes for in-depth spatiotemporal data analysis and visualization.