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

Enabling researchers and data users to better understand how changes in the cryosphere impact our planet.

Catch up on news and stories about how NSIDC DAAC data are being used in research, as well as spotlights on how you can use the data, tools and resources we offer. If you are using NSIDC DAAC data in your research, teaching, or some other way, let us know and we may feature your work in our next article. Share your story with us today.

News & Stories

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Light reflects off Arctic sea ice.
On December 10, 1972, the world of sea ice data changed forever. For the first time in history, as the Electrically Scanning Microwave Radiometer (ESMR) launched aboard the NASA Nimbus-5 satellite, scientists gained the ability to track changes in sea ice cover over the Polar Regions every day via passive microwave data. Today, they can piece together a half century’s worth of data from several instruments and satellite missions, including ESMR, to better understand how global warming is affecting Arctic and Antarctic sea ice.
cloud
Thirty-four data sets from the Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2), and Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite/Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (ICESat/GLAS) collections are now available in the NASA Earthdata Cloud environment. These data sets will still continue to be available to users via their current and familiar workflows, while allowing users the opportunity to try new ways to download and access these data in the cloud.
A photograph of the edge of an ice shelf in Antarctica
Welcome to the new NSIDC.org! Our website now offers an even more intuitive and efficient interface to allow users from all different backgrounds to discover and analyze over 1400 data sets and gain expert-verified knowledge about the cryosphere.
Graphic of measurements of Earth's surface in a region of icebergs and glaciers
The NASA National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) archives and manages data from the NASA Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2). Here is a snapshot of the ICESat-2 mission and its data.