MODAPS Web Coverage Service (WCS) API

This Application Programming Interface (API) provides access to MODIS Level-1 and Atmosphere data products. The Web Coverage Service (WCS) specification is defined by Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) and the document below provides an overview of the usage of the REST interface for MODAPS WCS. For more detailed information, or for information about using the XML request format, please refer to the WCS specification.

Sample implementation using this API are provided in the Quick Start Guide. Issues and bugs are listed at Known Issues.

Information about the production, archive and distribution of the data products in LAADS can be found at the MODAPS Services web site.

API Methods

  • GetCapabilities

    Returns a list of coverages

    ParameterDescriptionValues
    serviceService TypeWCS
    versionWCS service version1.0.0
    requestRequested operationGetCapabilities
    sectionDesired (sub)section of GetCapabiltiesOne of /, /WCS_Capabilities/Service, /WCS_Capabilities/Capability, /WCS_Capabilities/ContentMetadata

    ReturnTypeDescription
    coveragesXMLA list of coverages, for use with other methods ( sample ).


  • DescribeCoverage

    Returns a detailed description of a coverage.

    ParameterDescriptionValues
    serviceService TypeWCS
    versionWCS service version1.0.0
    requestRequested operationDescribeCoverage
    coverageThe coverage you would like describedcoverage name, obtained from GetCapabilities

    ReturnTypeDescription
    coverage descriptionXMLA detailed description of the coverage, providing information for use in GetCoverage ( sample )


  • GetCoverage

    Returns coverage data

    ParameterDescriptionValues
    serviceService TypeWCS
    versionWCS service version1.0.0
    requestRequested operationGetCapabilities
    coverageThe coverage namecoverage name, obtained from GetCapabilities
    bboxBounding BoxComma-delimited floats of the form: west,south,east,north
    timeSingle dayYYYY-MM-DDT00:00:00, e.g. 2011-04-10T00:00:00
    formatOutput formatOne of hdf4,geotiff,jpeg
    response_crsCoordinate reference systemA valid EPSG CRS code
    resxResolution widthfloating point degrees
    resyResolution heightfloating point degrees
    [Axis Name]The name of the 3rd or 4th axis. See RangeSubset section of DescribeCoverage response for the axis name to use String of the form N/N/1, where N is the slice you want.

    ReturnTypeDescription
    datahdf4,geotiff,jpeg,xmlThe requested data. Errors are in XML format.