numpy.ma.MaskedArray.__array__

method

ma.MaskedArray.__array__([dtype, ]*, copy=None)

For dtype parameter it returns a new reference to self if dtype is not given or it matches array’s data type. A new array of provided data type is returned if dtype is different from the current data type of the array. For copy parameter it returns a new reference to self if copy=False or copy=None and copying isn’t enforced by dtype parameter. The method returns a new array for copy=True, regardless of dtype parameter.

A more detailed explanation of the __array__ interface can be found in The __array__() method.