Search, order, and customize NSIDC DAAC data with NASA Earthdata Search
This article highlights the NSIDC DAAC data sets available with customization options and outlines a workflow for searching, ordering, and customizing data in NASA Earthdata Search. This approach is ideal for users who want to download data to their local machine. For those interested in working with cloud-based data, we recommend the NASA Earthdata Cloud Cookbook: https://nasa-openscapes.github.io/earthdata-cloud-cookbook/.
NASA Earthdata Search is a map-based interface where users can search for Earth science data, filter results based on spatial and temporal constraints, and order customized data.
Thousands of Earth science data sets are accessible from NASA's 12 science-oriented Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs), including the NSIDC DAAC. The NSIDC DAAC distributes several hundred data sets in NASA Earthdata Search, many with customization options.
Step 1: Determine the customization services enabled for your data set(s) of interest
Several data collections are offered with customization options, including AMSR-E, ICESat-2, ICESat/GLAS, MODIS, SMAP, and VIIRS. These customizations may include reformatting, reprojecting, and spatial and parameter subsetting. However, not all data sets within these collections offer customization options, and the available options are unique to each data set.
The following list provides an overview of customizations for each collection:
Step 2: Access NASA Earthdata Search
You can get to NASA Earthdata Search at https://search.earthdata.nasa.gov. NASA does require that you set up a free Earthdata account to access the data.
Step 3: Search for a data set
Search for a data set in the search box by entering specific key terms such as a mission (e.g. Terra), an instrument (e.g. MODIS), a data set (e.g. NSIDC-0481), and/or science parameter (e.g. snow cover).
Temporal Filtering
If you are interested in filtering the data set by a time period, click on the Temporal filter button located on the top left side of the page, and populate the Start and End boxes to specify the beginning and end dates of interest.
For example, a temporal filter for NSIDC-0481 ranging from 12 June 2008 to 12 June 2009 is applied below.
Spatial Filtering
If you are interested in filtering the data set by region of interest, click the Spatial filter, located next to the temporal filter (on the top left side of the page). You will see several options for filtering such as Polygon, Rectangle, Point, Circle, and File.
In the example below, the Rectangle option is used to specify Southwest and Northeast coordinates corresponding to Greenland for NSIDC-0481.
Click on a collection to view the matching science granules.
Filtering by Availability in NASA Earthdata Cloud
Many NSIDC DAAC data sets are now available in NASA’s Earthdata Cloud environment. While data will remain accessible from the NSIDC DAAC's local servers for now, all data sets will eventually migrate to the cloud. We recommend selecting the Earthdata Cloud version of the data set when possible, as it will soon become the permanent and sole archive. You can identify the cloud copy by the Earthdata Cloud icon in the collection description. You can also filter the cloud copy of a data set by selecting “Available in Earthdata Cloud”.
Step 4: Filter and view results of data search
Once the dataset of interest is selected, additional granule filters can be applied if needed (e.g. cloud cover, equatorial crossing time, orbit number, etc.). When available, browse imagery can also be viewed by clicking an image.
Individual granules can be downloaded or removed by clicking on the download arrow or +/- icons, respectively. The number of selected granules will be shown in the green Download button at the lower right side corner of the results window.
Using Wildcards to refine data search
The use of wildcards can be applied to search and filter by filenames:
- Use ? (question mark) to match any one character.
- Use * (asterisk) to match any number of characters in the filename.
- Delimiters (space, comma, or new line) can be used to search on multiple files.
For example, to search all granules in NSIDC-0481 grid W69.10N use *W69.10N* in the Granule Search box. To add all granules in grid E68.80N to the same search use *W69.10N*, *E68.80N*.
Step 5: Customize and order data
Click on the Download Data button and sign in to NASA Earthdata Search (or register for a new account, if you haven’t already). Once on the ordering page, you can choose the preferred data access method.
Without customization
The example below illustrates available access options for data sets without customization services, such as NSIDC-0481. These options include Stage for Delivery and Direct Download methods. Direct Download offers immediate access to selected granules via links or download scripts. Stage for Delivery prepares data for later retrieval, compressing files into zip format. You'll receive an email when files are ready for download.
Choose your preferred data access method (Direct Download is selected in this example), then click "Done" to proceed to data download.
With customization
For data sets offering customization services, an additional Customize option will appear on the ordering page. The available customization options vary depending on the selected data set, and all available options will be presented for your selection. For a comprehensive list of these customizable data sets and their specific options, refer to the list at the top of the page.
Customizing NSIDC DAAC Data sets in the NASA Earthdata Cloud
The following example illustrates the ordering page for an NSIDC DAAC data set in the cloud with customization options (such as ATL06). By selecting the "Customize with Harmony" data access method, you'll be able to choose from the customization options available from the services provided by Harmony, including the Harmony Trajectory Subsetter service.
After selecting your desired customization options, click "Done" to proceed to data download.
Customizing NSIDC DAAC Data sets in the Legacy Archive
This section outlines the process for customizing data sets in the legacy on-premises archive. The example below illustrates the ordering page for the on-premises copy of MOD10A1 with the "Customize" data access method selected.
Choose your desired customization options and click "Done" to proceed to data download.
Step 6: Retrieve data
The Download Status page provides information about the order's progress. The available options vary depending on the chosen data access method. When using Stage for Delivery, order status emails are sent to the user, but no links are provided on the page. For Direct Download and both Customize options, links are displayed directly on the Download Status page.
You can retrieve data by either clicking each of the links provided on the Download Status page or using the Earthdata Download (EDD) application. Clicking the green “Download Files” button on the download page launches the application. EDD offers a native solution for easily downloading large volumes of data from Earthdata Search.
For questions about customization options and NSIDC data, please contact nsidc@nsidc.org.
For additional instructions on using NASA Earthdata Search, visit the Getting Started page on the Earthdata website.
Last updated: November 2024