get_collections

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Search NASA CMR collections and return up to 10 lightweight normalized results. Key return fields in each item: - concept_id: CMR collection concept ID - native_id: native ID of the collection record - revision_id: revision ID of the collection metadata - provider_id: provider ID of the collection - short_name: collection short name - entry_title: collection title - time_start / time_end: temporal coverage bounds - processing_level_id: processing level (e.g., L3, L4) - doi: digital object identifier - collection_data_type: data type (e.g., SCIENCE_QUALITY, NEAR_REAL_TIME) - temporal_resolution / spatial_resolution: extracted resolution strings - related_urls: links to landing pages, documentation, and tools Unfiltered searches are supported when you need broad exploration. IMPORTANT — relevance and coverage: A keyword-only search returns all collections whose metadata mentions those terms, regardless of whether they actually hold data for the user's region or time period. Collection declared extents are often global or multi-decadal, so a collection appearing in results does not mean it has granules for a specific area or date. When the user's question involves a time period or geographic region, include temporal_start_date/temporal_end_date and/or spatial_wkt_geometry to restrict results to collections that overlap that window. Follow up with get_granules (with the same filters) to confirm actual data availability. IMPORTANT — keyword AND logic: CMR treats each space-separated keyword as an independent term and requires ALL of them to appear somewhere in a collection's metadata (title, summary, science keywords, instruments, platforms, etc.). Words do not need to appear in the same field or adjacent to each other. Because every term must match, adding more words makes the search STRICTER, not broader — the opposite of typical web search engines. Prefer 2–4 precise scientific terms. If a search returns 0 results, try removing the least essential word before broadening other filters. Phrase search (exact word sequence) is available by wrapping the value in escaped double quotes, but you cannot mix a phrase with additional standalone keywords. Key parameters: - keyword: free-text keyword search over collection metadata (AND logic; see above) - concept_id: exact collection concept ID - short_name: collection short name - provider: data provider short name - temporal_start_date / temporal_end_date: restrict to collections whose declared range overlaps this window; set when the user specifies a time period - spatial_wkt_geometry: restrict to collections whose declared extent intersects this area; set when the user specifies a geographic region Iteration & Refinement: - Results are strictly capped at 10 items to optimize context window usage. - If total_hits exceeds 10 and you lack the necessary results, do not attempt to page. Refine your search by adding tighter spatial, temporal, or keyword constraints. Tips: - Use scientific terms (variables, instruments, platforms) for better keyword relevance - Keep keyword queries to 2–4 precise terms; more words = stricter filter - If 0 results, drop the least essential keyword and retry before broadening other filters - Combine keyword + temporal + spatial filters for highest precision - Use short_name when you already know the target product