observationid

ObservationID is a unique identifier assigned to a single observational record within a dataset, database, or data catalog. It serves as a stable reference that enables retrieval, cross-referencing, and provenance tracking for the observation and any associated data products.

Observations appear in many fields, including astronomy, remote sensing, environmental monitoring, and medical imaging. In astronomy and remote sensing, an observation might correspond to a single exposure or data capture event, while in medicine an observation can represent a measured finding or test result. The identifier is typically a string or number and may be implemented as a simple sequential code, a composite key, or a globally unique identifier such as a UUID. Formats vary by discipline and data system, and some communities embed the observation ID within file headers or metadata records.

Metadata commonly linked to an ObservationID includes the timestamp of the observation, the instrument or sensor used, the target or location, observational conditions (for example, exposure time, wavelength, filtering), and references to related observations or datasets. Observations are often grouped into campaigns, runs, or projects, with IDs that relate to their constituent ObservationIDs for traceability and reproducibility.

Standards and implementations differ across domains. In astronomy, for example, observation identifiers may appear in FITS headers or data models used by the Virtual Observatory, while healthcare data may use Observation resources with internal identifiers within a medical record system.

Best practices emphasize persistent, unique identifiers, clear association with metadata, and careful management of versioning and provenance to ensure long-term data usability. Privacy and access controls should be considered when observations involve sensitive information.