Cloud Native Geospatial for Earth Observation Workshop

The advent of cloud computing has revolutionised the capabilities of researchers and professionals globally, helping them to access and analyse Earth observation (EO) data more easily than ever. Despite the well-understood tools and technologies, such as cloud-optimised GeoTIFFs and the spatio-temporal asset catalog (STAC) specification, many EO professionals have not yet had the opportunity to practically apply these innovations. This workshop aims to bridge that gap by showcasing how cloud-native geospatial technologies simplify the process of working with EO data, using Python as the primary programming language.

Participants will delve into a real-world case study focused on documenting land productivity metrics, a crucial component for monitoring the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators for 15.3.1. The workshop will utilise NASA’s Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel data, accessed through Earthdata, to explore the land productivity metric in depth.

Our workshop hosts, Caitlin Adams and Alex Leith, bring extensive experience from their work on large-scale cloud-native programs such as Digital Earth Africa, Digital Earth Australia, and the recently launched Digital Earth Pacific. These projects leverage petabytes of data to create valuable information products that inform decision-making processes across countries and continents.

Throughout the workshop, participants will gain hands-on experience and insights into how cloud-native geospatial technologies have significantly enhanced the ability to manage and analyze large volumes of EO data. By the end of the session, attendees will have acquired practical examples and knowledge to further develop their skills in this innovative field.

This tutorial is supported by the CEOS Systems Engineering Office and aims to equip participants with the tools and techniques necessary to harness the full potential of cloud-native geospatial technologies in their work.

Key Learning Objectives:

• Understanding Cloud-Native Geospatial Technologies: Learn the fundamentals of cloud-native geospatial technologies and their significance in simplifying EO data workflows.

• Practical Application with Real-World Data: Engage in hands-on exercises using NASA’s Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel data to calculate land productivity metrics relevant to the UN SDG indicators for 15.3.1.

• Exploring Advanced Tools: Gain familiarity with key Python packages for EO data analysis, including xarray, dask, pystac-client, odc-stac, and odc-geo.

• Developing Reproducible Workflows: Understand how to build reproducible workflows that can be executed anywhere, independent of specific computing environments.

• Leveraging Global Data Repositories: Learn how to access and utilize global free and open EO datasets, and how these resources can be integrated into cloud-native workflows.

Target Audience:

This workshop is designed for Earth observation professionals, researchers, data scientists, and students who are interested in enhancing their skills in EO data analysis using cloud-native technologies. Prior experience with Python is beneficial but not required, as the workshop will build up the workflow step-by-step.

Workshop Structure:

1. Introduction to Cloud-Native Geospatial: Overview of the cloud-native geospatial paradigm and its importance in EO data analysis.

2. Real-World Case Study: Detailed examination of the land productivity metric using NASA’s Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel data.

3. Hands-On Exercises: Step-by-step practical sessions to develop and apply Python-based workflows for EO data analysis.

4. Discussion and Q&A: Interactive session for participants to ask questions, share insights, and discuss the applications of cloud-native geospatial technologies in their work.

Instructors:

• Caitlin Adams: Senior Data Scientist at FrontierSI, specializing in machine learning applications for EO datasets. Internationally recognized for her contributions to EO and passionate about educating others in the field.

• Alex Leith: Technical Director at Auspatious, with a proven track record in delivering operational data infrastructure and making data accessible for informed decision-making. Alex is a leader in the EO community, dedicated to promoting sustainability through better data access.

This workshop is supported by the CEOS Systems Engineering Office, ensuring high-quality content and expert guidance throughout the session.

Join us to explore the transformative potential of cloud-native geospatial technologies and elevate your EO data analysis capabilities to new heights.