NASA National Snow and Ice Data Center Distributed Active Archive Center (NSIDC DAAC)

How to cite NASA data

NASA data are not copyrighted but citations are required. As a condition of use, when you publish research using NASA NSIDC DAAC data, or results derived from the data, you must cite the data set(s) in your work with a formal citation. A citation acknowledges the data producers, and facilitates tracking data use and impact. Citations also support reporting data distribution activity to NASA, and to assist others who may contact the NSIDC DAAC about data that are referenced in publications.

Citation policies for NSIDC DAAC data

You must include a citation in the references section of your publication. While acknowledgement in the body text is appreciated, the NSIDC DAAC can better track the use of NASA data sets if citations are included as references.

You can find appropriate data set citations to copy and paste into your publication on each data set's landing page, and in its documentation. If you need assistance with a citation format, please contact NSIDC User Services.

Use and credits of photographs and satellite images

You may download and use most photographs and images on this site free of charge, but some photographs and images may have specific copyright restrictions and credits. Where applicable, restrictions and credits are noted at the point of access. Photographs and imagery may be used for commercial purposes, but may not be re-sold.

• General credit format: "Image/photo courtesy of the National Snow and Ice Data Center, University of Colorado, Boulder."
• Satellite image example format: "Imagery from the NASA MODIS instrument, courtesy NASA NSIDC DAAC."

If you need additional help, please contact NSIDC User Services.