Metadata file for: NASA_BM_Robinson.ecw
Content: 1-Km resolution 'Blue Marble' satellite image mosaic created by NASA / GSFC
Area of coverage: World in Robinson map projection
Source data: MODIS sensor onboard the Terra satellite
Date created: 2001
Processed by: Earthstar Geographics (www.es-geo.com)
Available at: www.terracolor.net

Notes: This world image mosaic was created by NASA / GSFC (Goddard Space Flight 
Center) using images acquired by the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging 
Spectroradiometer) sensor onboard the Terra satellite from 700 Km above the
earth.  The land and coastal ocean portions of these images are based on surface
observations collected from June through September 2001 and combined, or 
composited, every eight days to compensate for clouds that might block the 
sensor’s view of the surface on any single day. Two different types of ocean data 
were used in these images: shallow water true color data, and global ocean color 
(or chlorophyll) data. Topographic shading is based on the GTOPO30 elevation dataset 
compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey’s EROS Data Center. MODIS observations of polar 
sea ice were combined with observations of Antarctica made by the National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration’s AVHRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer). 

Earthstar Geographics modified the original image data slightly, reprojected it 
to the Robinson projection, and compressed it to ECW format. Earthstar was granted
permission by NASA / GSFC to distribute the imagery with our TerraColor World product.
Credit must be given to NASA if the image is used for commercial purposes (e.g., 
"Blue Marble image courtesy of NASA/GSFC"). Complete information about the Blue 
Marble program can be found at this website:
	http://rsd.gsfc.nasa.gov/rsd/bluemarble/index.html

The Robinson projection was created to improve upon the shortcomings of previous
world map projections such as Mercator. It combines the best aspects of several 
other map projections, resulting in minimal distortion of most of the Earth's 
land masses. Antarctica is still greatly distorted and the northernmost land 
masses are somewhat distorted, but this projection is commonly considered the 
best map representation of the size and shape of the Earth's landforms.

Data format: Enhanced Compressed Wavelet (ECW) Unsigned 24-bit RGB
Byte order: Intel
Number of rows: 19167
Number of columns: 37791
Number of bands: 3
Value for null pixels: None

Uncompressed file size: 2.02 GB
ECW compressed file size: 70.7 MB

Pixel size X: 900 Meters
Pixel size Y: 900 Meters

Datum: WGS84
Projection: Robinson
XY Units: Meters

Robinson projection parameters:
False Easting: 0.0 Meters
False Northing: 0.0 Meters
Central Meridian: 0.0 Degrees East

UL corner X,Y: -17005833.33E, 8625154.67N
LR corner X,Y: 17006066.67E, -8625145.33N

UL corner Lat, Long: 90:0:0.0N, 21:46:52.63E
LR corner Lat, Long: 90:0:0.0N, 21:46:40.93W

Note: Longitude extents above reflect empty areas of the
image outside the actual data (the image extends to 180E
and 180W at the equator).