| Quick-Start Introduction to PDS Archiving |
 |
Catalog Object Files
The Catalog Object files are also written in
ODL and provide information for the
central PDS data set
catalog on the format, origins, current location and type
of data being archived. The subnode can supply data preparers
with blank templates for these files.
There is seldom any need for additional keywords in
these files, though new standard values are often encountered in some specific
cases (see What if I can't find... for information
on adding standard values).
Below is the typical set of catalog object files required.
Following that list are pointers to a set of blank templates to use as starting
points.
Detailed examples of filled-out files can be found in
Appendix B
of the PDS Standards Reference.
- Data Set Catalog File
- One of these must be created for each DATA_SET_ID used in the submission.
In addition to describing the general content of the data set,
this template includes information about the duration of the mission
or observing program
and the person or group responsible for producing the data.
- Data Set Collection Catalog File
- Occasionally it is useful to collect several closely related data sets
into a named collection. Data set collections show up as single items
in the PDS catalog, making it easier for users to request the entire
set. The Data Set Collection Catalog File defines the contents
of a collection. It includes things like the start and end time
for the entire collections and pointers to instrument information and
mission or observing program descriptions.
Whether or not to define any data set collections as part of a data
submission is left to the discretion of the data preparer.
NOTE: When a file is part of a data set collection,
its Data Set Catalog File should
contain the keyword DATA_SET_COLLECTION_FLAG with a
value of "T".
- Instrument Catalog File
- This describes physical attributes of the instrument used to make
the observations and provides relevant references to the published
literature.
- Instrument Host Catalog File
- If this is the first data set archived in the PDS from this spacecraft
or observatory, one of these files must be provided to describe the
the spacecraft carrying the instrument or site of the observations.
This file should be updated as needed during the course of the
mission or observing program.
- Mission Catalog File
- This lays out the scientific goals and objectives of the observing
program and identifies key people and institutions. Existing
Mission Catalog Files should be updated as needed when new
data are submitted.
- Reference List File
- This file contains the full citations for references mentioned
in any and all of the above catalog files, or in any associated
label files.
On some occasions additional templates will need to be completed, for example,
to identify key project personnel or to describe a target (like a single
planet) which does not already have a PDS Target Catalog File on file.
The consulting discipline
node can advise data preparers on which additional catalog files may
be required and can provide examples and
blank templates to be completed by the project.
Blank Catalog File Templates
Definitions for the keyword values in these templates are found in the
PDS
Data Dictionary.
Suggestions are provided to guide the information entered into the
longer descriptive fields.
|
