Data Dictionaries - 1.16.0.0
The following page links to version 1.16.0.0 of the PDS4 Data Dictionaries, including XML Schema and Schematrons for the applicable PDS4 namespace.
Past versions of the data dictionaries can be found here.
Need help with creating a dictionary or where to start, please contact the PDS Operator at pds_operator@jpl.nasa.gov.
What are you looking for?
- The latest release of the main PDS Common dictionary
- Discipline dictionaries to go with my main dictionary
- A mission or project dictionary from the archive
- A how-to on creating a dictionary
- A how-to on submitting my dictionary for archiving
- Something else? See the Table of Contents for more details
Data Dictionaries
Compatible Versions
For each version of the PDS Common Data Dictionary, there are specific discipline and mission dictionary that are compatible. You can find this information in our Dictionary Stacks database.
PDS Common
PDS (pds)
This directory contains the XML Schema and Schematron files under the Planetary Data System (PDS) namespace. The JSON file contains an instance of the data dictionary in JavaScript Object Notation.
Back to topDiscipline Dictionaries
- Cartography
- Context Type List: Instrument
- Display
- Geometry Dictionary Full
- Imaging
- Surface Imaging
- Mission Information Commons
- Surface Mission Information
- MSSS Camera Mini-header
- Multidimensional
- Nuclear Spectroscopy
- Particle
- Processing_Information
- Rings Dictionary
- Spectral Library
- Spectral Discipline Dictionary
- Survey
Cartography (cart)
The Cartography Dictionary contains classes, elements, attributes, and rules describing map projections, including both cartographic and lander related definitions and descriptions. The PDS Cartography dictionary is based on and with modifications and extensions applied by PDS as needed for planetary mapping application. utilizes the existing Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata,
- Last Updated: 11/09/2022
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-cart
- Data Dictionary Files:
- Last Updated: 06/10/2021
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-cart
- Data Dictionary Files:
Context Type List: Instrument (ctli)
The CTLI dictionary provides a set of type values for instruments for use in instrument context products.
- Last Updated: 06/10/2021
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-ctli
- Data Dictionary Files:
Display (disp)
The Display Dictionary contains classes, attributes, and rules for specifying how arrays (images) as stored, should be displayed to users. For example, defining the vertical display direction 'Bottom to Top' or horizontal direction 'Left to Right' and it can provide guidance on mapping multiband arrays for color display (red, green, and blue) or as a movie sequence (video).
- Last Updated: 06/10/2021
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-disp
- Data Dictionary Files:
Geometry Dictionary Full (geom)
The Geometry Dictionary contains classes, attributes, and rules for specifying the geometry parameters associated with science observations.
- Last Updated: 06/07/2022
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-geom
- Data Dictionary Files:
- Last Updated: 01/28/2022
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-geom
- Data Dictionary Files:
- Last Updated: 11/08/2021
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-geom
- Data Dictionary Files:
- Last Updated: 06/09/2021
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-geom
- Data Dictionary Files:
Imaging (img)
The Imaging Dictionary contains classes, attributes, and rules for specifying the metadata associated with imaging and spectrometer data products.
- Last Updated: 04/29/2024
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-img
- Data Dictionary Files:
- Last Updated: 11/09/2022
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-img
- Data Dictionary Files:
- Last Updated: 08/16/2021
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-img
- Data Dictionary Files:
- Last Updated: 06/10/2021
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-img
- Data Dictionary Files:
Surface Imaging (img_surface)
The Surface Imaging Dictionary contains classes, attributes, and rules for specifying the metadata associated with imaging and spectrometer data products of surface missions.
- Last Updated: 08/07/2023
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-img_surface
- Data Dictionary Files:
- Last Updated: 11/09/2022
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-img_surface
- Data Dictionary Files:
- Last Updated: 08/19/2021
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-img_surface
- Data Dictionary Files:
- Last Updated: 06/10/2021
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-img_surface
- Data Dictionary Files:
Mission Information Commons (msn)
The sub-directory for the Mission Information class namespace.
- Last Updated: 06/10/2021
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-msn
- Data Dictionary Files:
Surface Mission Information (msn_surface)
The Surface Mission Dictionary contains classes, attributes, and rules for specifying metadata elements which are specific to the data products of surface missions but are common among multiple such missions.
- Last Updated: 06/10/2021
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-msn_surface
- Data Dictionary Files:
MSSS Camera Mini-header (msss_cam_mh)
This dictionary is for a class of cameras developed by Malin Space Science Systems (MSSS) that share a common architecture or digital electronics assembly. Example cameras include Mastcam, MAHLI, MARDI, Mastcam-Z, SHERLOC-Watson and SHERLOC-ACI
- Last Updated: 08/16/2021
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-msss_cam_mh
- Data Dictionary Files:
- Last Updated: 06/10/2021
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-msss_cam_mh
- Data Dictionary Files:
Multidimensional (multi)
The Multi dictionary contains classes that describe the composition of multidimensional data consisting of Array (and Array subclass) data objects. It provides a way to associated data objects and align the objects in general multi-dimensional structures.
- Last Updated: 09/13/2021
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-multi
- Data Dictionary Files:
Nuclear Spectroscopy (nucspec)
The Nuclear Spectroscopy dictionary provides classes, attributes, and rules for describing the circumstances surrounding nuclear spectroscopy observations.
- Last Updated: 06/08/2021
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-nucspec
- Data Dictionary Files:
Particle (particle)
The Particle dictionary contains attributes that may be used to help identify particle parameters included in a PDS4 product to supplement the information provided in the Primary_Result_Summary and in order to support enhanced data discovery.
- Last Updated: 08/09/2021
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-particle
- Data Dictionary Files:
Processing_Information (proc)
The Processing_Information Dictionary contains detailed information regarding the history of processing performed on data product(s) in order to produce the current product.
- Last Updated: 06/10/2021
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-proc
- Data Dictionary Files:
Rings (rings)
The Rings Dictionary contains classes supporting planetary ring observations including ring-specific geometric parameters.
- Last Updated: 02/15/2023
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-rings
- Data Dictionary Files:
- Last Updated: 05/17/2021
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-rings
- Data Dictionary Files:
Spectral Library (speclib)
The Spectral Library Data Dictionary defines the metadata terms that describe laboratory spectral measurements, including classification of the samples measured.
- Last Updated: 01/28/2022
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-speclib
- Data Dictionary Files:
- Last Updated: 05/10/2021
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-speclib
- Data Dictionary Files:
Spectral Discipline Dictionary (sp)
The Spectral (sp) Discipline Dictionary contains classes for defining the spectral bin characteristics (in wavelength, frequency, or wave number) of a data product.
- Last Updated: 06/23/2021
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-spectral
- Data Dictionary Files:
- Last Updated: 05/18/2021
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-spectral
- Data Dictionary Files:
Survey (survey)
The Survey dictionary provides classes, attributes, and rules for describing the circumstances surrounding sky survey observations.
- Last Updated: 06/08/2021
- Issue Tracking: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/PDS4-LDD-Issue-Repo/issues
- Github Repo: https://github.com/pds-data-dictionaries/ldd-survey
- Data Dictionary Files:
Namespaces
The PDS4 XML Schema and Schematron files are organized by namespace. For a list of existing namespaces, refer to the PDS Namespace Registry.
Back to topHow To Create A Dictionary
Please contact your applicable discipline node to ensure a new dictionary is necessary prior to beginning development. Once agreed upon, there are several places to go when trying to learn how to create a dictionary.
- The PDS Data Dictionaries GitHub page
- The PDS4 Standards Reference for basic information on schema and schematrons
- Local Data Dictionary Tool Installation Guide
- Wiki pages with some helpful information on creating Local Dictionaries:
- Existing Discipline Dictionaries may provide some help in understanding how to data model
Once all information is gathered, create a ticket here to initialize a new PDS LDD and register it with the PDS Namespace Registry.
Back to topSubmitting A New Version
When a Local Data Dictionary (LDD) Steward is ready to submit a new version of an LDD for release:
Note: Assume validation has been completed by steward.
Dictionary Validation
The LDD steward is encouraged to perform test/validation via one/both of the testing mechanisms:
Note: Currently, there is no explicit way to run validate to check out the schemas, but by reading the schemas into the tool, it will raise an error if they are invalid.
- Open in Oxygen and click the red checkbox at the top.
- Execute latest validate (version 1.16.0+) and specify the schemas via the command-line, for example:
$ validate -x PDS4_CART_1C00_1932.xsd -S PDS4_CART_1C00_1932.xsd -t PDS4_CART_1C00_1932.xml
The PDS Engineering Node will also perform some basic testing and validation when a release is requested to ensure nothing makes it out as "released" that is invalid.
If there is an error, an email will be sent to the steward with error message(s).
If no error is found, the LDD will be posted to both latest and all schemas pages. An email will be sent to the steward indicating posting is completed.