What is the Algorithm behind the lat/lon maps produced?
The projected maps of uses code developed here at the GES DISC called simap. The simap algorithm is in essence a conversion of the geolocation information of the data from spherical coordinates (latitude, longitude) to the two-dimensional device (pixel) map space. Since the map space can have its own coordinate system, sometimes we say we convert from one coordinate system (that of data) to another (that of the map). The standard IDL mapping function, COVERT_COORD, is used in the core of the approach. For the purposes of YOTC, only the simple cylindrical projection is used as coordinate system of the map space. Assuming every data point has a geolocation information, and the coordinate system of the map space has been defined, the result of the mapping is that every data point is assigned a new address (row,column) in the digital 2D map space. This is in essence the coordinate system transformation. Along the way, the algorithm checks the dimensions of the data and the geolocation arra
