Back

JAXA Earth API provides satellite observation images with Python and JavaScript, but these can be more easily retrieved with its QGIS plugin. Here are directions to use QGIS JAXA Earth API Plugin.

QGIS Python Plugins Repository


JAXA Earth API plugin overview
UI of JAXA Earth API QGIS Plugin

Demonstration of JAXA Earth API QGIS Plugin

1. Install QGIS

Download installer appropriate to your OS and follow the instructions.
Download page : https://www.qgis.org/en/site/forusers/download.html
Download the latest long-term release (LTR) is recommended.

install QGIS

2. QGIS Basic features

Launch QGIS and check its interface.

alt text

  • Map canvas : The map where you can browse like a map application.
  • Browser : Retrieve local or online location-based data.
  • Layers : Data displayed on map canvas are summarized in the layer panel.
    • Each layer can be toggled to make visible or not.
    • Upper visible layers overlay lower ones.

Toolbar is full of commands but here are the basic ones.

basic QGIS commands

3. Import OpenStreetMap basemap

JAXA Earth API Plugin made allows us to retrieve data from a specific extent, but it is helpful to have a basemap for geographic context. OpenStreetMap provides free basemap as XYZ tile format. Follow the instructions below to import OpenStreetMap baseamap:

  • In the browser panel, right click on XYZ tiles > New connection…
  • Name this connection and input the following link as URL, then OK.
    • https://tile.openstreetmap.org/{z}/{x}/{y}.png

Import OSM basemap

  • In the browser panel, double click on the newly created connection.
  • An OpenStreetMap basemap should be imported as a layer.

OSM layer

4. Install JAXA Earth API Plugin

QGIS is customizable to improve UI and automate process by using Python scripts or adding plugins. The JAXA Earth API Plugin provides an interface to retrieve satellite observation data easily with a given map extent.

  • To install plugin, go to Menu > Plugins > Manage plugins...

Go to plugin manager menu

  • In the plugin manager, search for "JAXA", select the search result, and install it.
  • Plugin can also be downloadable here and can be installed as ZIP file.

Install JAXA earth API plugin

Once the plugin is installed, JAXA Earth API icon should appear on the toolbar.

  • By clicking on the plugin icon, plugin dialog should appear.

Open JAXA plugin

5. JAXA Earth API Plugin use

Satellite observation data can be retrieved by providing the following parameters:

  • Dataset
  • Area of interest
  • Date range

These parameters can be set on the following dialiog:

Plugin UI featureas

Example 1: Import precipitation rate with current map canvas extent

Let's import precipitation rate observations with the following conditions:

  • Dataset: Precipitation rate (Monthly)
  • Area of interest: 2023-06-01 ~ 2024-05-31
  • Extent : Europe

Directions:

  • 1- Set target dataset as Precipitation Rate (Monthly).
  • 2- Set target period.
  • 3- Set target map extent.
    • Browse your map to fit Europe extent in.
    • Click on the Map Canvas Extent button.
  • 4- Push Launch button to load data.

Load Jaxa data

Dataset should be loaded as one layer per month.

Result example 1

Example 2: Import precipitation rate with customize map extent

Let's import precipitation rate observations with the following conditions:

  • Dataset: Precipitation rate (Monthly)
  • Area of interest: 2023-06-01 ~ 2024-05-31
  • Extent : Hokkaido

Directions:

  • 1- Set target dataset as Precipitation Rate (Monthly).
  • 2- Set target period.
  • 3- Set target map extent.
    • Click on Draw on Canvas button.
    • Drag a rectangle to fit Hokkaido inside.
  • 4- Push Launch button to load data.

Load Jaxa data custom extent

Dataset should be loaded, with your custom extent.

Result example 2



Back