Reading AIA, HMI, MDI lossless pixels with Javascript

Todd, others
Is there an efficient way to directly read raw pixel level data from JP2 or FITS files using regular browser Javascript?  Whatever method I use must be user transparent since the Internet Foundation mainly aims to help the roughly 5 Billion people with some access to the Internet.  The only common denominator for all people in all countries is Javascript in the browsers.

I would like to look at the pixel data for multispectral images of the sun at highest resolutions and cadences. Then share what I find with others who are NOT programmers, but who might want to write their own pixel level algorithms or visualization settings.

The images at https://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/ are lossy. The image and video pixels do not match what comes from the sensors. How lossy, I would like to check if I can compare with lossless versions.

In directories like http://jsoc2.stanford.edu/data/aia/images/2023/05/14/94/ are these jp2 format files.That is not supported well in browsers, to my knowledge. JP2 Jpeg2000 tools are supposed to allow streaming of any portion of an image, but the target currently is eyes not algorithms. Image sampling at low resolution or area in Javascript would allow algorithm development, then full images in a seamless process.

There are a lot of smart people in the world who only have a browser, and many more who have nothing at all.  They ought to have open accessible traceable verifiable easy-to-use tools for statistics, machine learning, visualization of your data – without having to bother with efficient storage – which is your problem. FITS and JP2 are your choices. They are not currently integrated into the browser to allow the 5 billion Internet users to write and share algorithms, to create and share visualizations.

I studied astrophysics at UMD College Park from 1975-1979 when Charles Misner and Joe Weber were there.  Joe got me looking at Robert Forwards dissertation on dynamic gravitational fields.  I worked with Steve Klosko at Wolfe Research on the NASA GEM geopotential models, and I spent many years finding low cost gravitational sensors like MEMS and atom interferometer and more. For 25 years now, Director of the Internet Foundation. In the 1980’s I was “GS14 Senior Mathematical Statistician” setting up the USAID central Economic and Social Database, then set up FEWs.net. Looking at all countries, all data, all people, all issues with accessible computer software is why I started the Internet Foundation – tomorrow is the 25th Anniversary.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincere regards,
Richard Collins, The Internet Foundation

Richard K Collins

About: Richard K Collins

Director, The Internet Foundation Studying formation and optimized collaboration of global communities. Applying the Internet to solve global problems and build sustainable communities. Internet policies, standards and best practices.


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