Direct Access to CeNCOOS Database via SOS

For machine-to-machine access to the CeNCOOS database, we have created a example script and documention that can be modified as needed by users. The script is primarily for users with programming knowledge to create a continuous data download protocol or integrate these data into models/products. It will retrieve and parse data via a SOS (Sensor Observation System) server. The script also generates a simple data exploration interface for downloading large amounts of data (ASCII) or graphing. Advanced users may choose to employ the provided script to produce their own interface or data outputs. The script was created in Python, so you will need that program to run it. Note: this script is provided as is, with no warranty. The script can be modified as needed, but CeNCOOS support is limited to the script as currently written. Please contact the Fred Bahr (flbahr@mbari.org) with questions.

1. Download Python if you do not already have it, find it here.  Note: For proper function, you need Python 2.6 (not the more recent versions).  Choose the version appropriate for your operating system.

2. For each of the following, click to obtain the most recent version appropriate to your operating system and that also matches Python version 2.6. Install in this order:

    a. NumPy
    b. Scipy
    c. Matplotlib
    d. Lxml (Lxml is not dependant upon NumPy, Scipy, or Matplotlib)

3. Download the Pyton script file: sosget.py (right-click and select 'Save Link As')

4. Run script:

    a. open Python (IDLE)
    b. open sosget.py file (from your harddrive)
    c. in sosget.py window click Run -> Module
    d. script code and documentation is now visible
    e. you should also see a small data exploration interface (or you can use script to create your own as needed)

5. Data Exploration Interface

    a. in the interface - click Station Name (top left) and choose a station from list
    b. you will see a Start and End time for the station's entire time-series
    c. for best performance, select a time range of a year or less (if response is too long select shorter time-period)
    d. click measurement button (top right) to choose variable of interest
    e. click 'get data' to download ASCII (text files) or
    f. click plot to see graphs of chosen measurement, for some measurements multiple graphs will appear (graphs with flat line means no available data)

Please contact the Fred Bahr (flbahr@mbari.org) with questions.