WWW Information Services for Earth Observation and Environmental Information

Abstract

INFEO — Information on Earth Observation — is the CEO (Centre for Earth Observation) Project’s on-line information system. INFEO represents a single access point for information on the availability of Earth observation (EO) related data products (i.e. metadata describing what exists) and it improves accessibility (stating how to get the data, sometimes on-line) to EO data and information. INFEO can be found at http://infeo.ceo.org/.

The CEO Project is funded by the European Commission (EC) to develop and promote the use of Earth observation (EO) data from space. INFEO represents the CEO’s initiative to make it easier for anyone to find, and gain access to EO and related data, information and services. INFEO replaces the CEO’s first generation on-line information service for EO, the European Wide Service Exchange (EWSE).

INFEO allows users to query, in parallel, EO related catalogues throughout the world, ranging from large inventories of space data to smaller geo-referenced data sets. Any query submitted in INFEO is automatically submitted to all selected on-line catalogues. It thus provides users with a common access point for local or remote data and information, and a shared way of finding information.

INFEO also allows providers of EO data, information and services to advertise their products at a one-stop shop, thereby reaching a large number of customers through a single `outlet’. Any holders of EO data or information can link their catalogues to this system so that they are included in any search.

This ideal of a one-stop shop for EO information is made possible due to the development of a common language (CIP - Catalogue Interoperability Protocol), which allows the querying of different remote data catalogues in a simple and consistent manner.