Access and Downloading - FAQ
Who can obtain data?
How do I gain access to the data?
How much will it cost?
How do I find a particular satellite image?
Can I check the metadata of the imagery before downloading it?
What formats are the data in?
Can I obtain data from other archives?
What is the recommended way to use the Landmap website?
Can I avoid selecting my institution every time I open a new web browser?
Why have I got an Access Failure message?
A. Teachers, researchers, students and organisations from the UK higher or further education institutions who register with the Landmap Service to obtain data. However, some datasets may have restrictions on access, for example commercial usage is not permitted.
Q. How do I gain access to the data and protected Learning Materials?
A. Access to data and protected Learning Materials requires you and your institution to be registered. After that you only have to enter your personal username and password at your local institution when you first access a protected page in each web browser session.
A. Mimas is pleased to announce that JISC has agreed to provide continued funding for the Landmap Service for a further five years. From 01 August 2007 the service is subscription-free to the whole of UK Higher and Further Education.
Q. How do I find a particular satellite image?
A. Please go to the Datasets section of the Landmap website where there will be three different collections to choose from (Optical, Radar and Elevation). From here you can find a range of satellite images and spatial data. Alternatively go to the support documentation 'New to this Site?'
Q. Can I check the metadata of the imagery before downloading it?
A. There is no online access to the metadata for the Landmap data archive; however metadata is supplied with the data during the download process. Alternatively we can send metadata on request in XML format if you email the helpdesk. The service is looking to provide a metadata search facility over the next six months.
Q.What formats are the data in?
A.The formats of the data vary depending on the type of dataset you wish to download. The following list provides the most common data formats provided e.g. GeoTiff, ECW, ESRI Grid, ERDAS Imagine and JPEG.
Q. Can I obtain data from other archives?
A. Yes there are a range of other geospatial data archives that you could try to search if the Landmap Service does not have the dataset you require. These include NERC NEODC, The Global Land Cover Facility hosted by the University of Minnesota and the USGS website.
Q. What is the recommended way to use the Landmap website?
A.
1) Enter the Landmap site by the homepage http://landmap.mimas.ac.uk
2) When you request a protected page you will see the Landmap Authentication page
3) Select your institution for authentication by following the on-page instructions
Q. Can I avoid selecting my institution every time I open a new web browser?
A. You can - by using a WAYFless URL (WAYF stands for "Where Are You From"). Your institution for authentication is included in the WAYFless URL. An example of the WAYFless URL for University of Anytown users is
http://landmap.mimas.ac.uk/cgi-bin/wayf?idp=anytown.ac.uk
More information can be found on the Mimas Access Services page.
Q. Why have I got an Access Failure message?
A. When requesting a protected page you may see an error like this:
"Mimas Landmap Service - Access Failure
Mimas regrets that we are unable to grant you access to the Landmap service."
then later some "Diagnostic information".
Usually this means your login details have not reached us correctly due to a temporary network problem. In most cases it is resolved if you simply try again immediately. If still a problem, leave an hour or so & try once more. If the problem persists please contact us.
