Space Physics Metadata Searching Using Space Physics Data Markup Language (SPDML)

The Space Physics Data Markup Language (SPDML) defines an eXtensible Markup Language (XML) for expressing Space Physics Metadata. The purpose is to develop an extensible standard for next generation multi-mission catalog searching capabilities such as those proposed for use in Virtual Observatories. SPDML provides a standard method for expressing Space Physics metadata and is being utilized in a prototype system that provides a standard method of data querying enabling multi-instrument comparison to TIMED data and tracing the Sun-Earth connection. SPDML is using a data dictionary that is compatible with the developing Space Physics Archive Search and Extract (SPASE) data dictionary. A testbed is being developed using data from the NASA TIMED spacecraft and ground-based SuperDARN radars to demonstrate the multi-mission search capabilities (http://sd-www.jhuapl.edu/SPDML). Examples from this testbed will be presented.