NASA's Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS) Project has a free and open policy for data and information generated under NASA sponsorship. Non-NASA data are subject to the license arrangements of the sponsoring organization; users are encouraged to validate the source and associated use permissions.

NASA ESDIS content, including but not limited to images, audio, video, and computer files used in the rendition of 3D models (such as texture maps and polygon data in any format, observation data, metadata, products, information, algorithms, including scientific source code, documentation, models, images, and research results), generally are not copyrighted. You may use this material for educational or informational purposes, including photo collections, textbooks, public exhibits, computer graphical simulations, and internet web pages. This general permission extends to personal web pages.

NASA ESDIS content used in a factual manner that does not suggest or imply endorsement may be used without explicit permission. NASA should be acknowledged as the source of the material.

ESDIS content that is subject to usage restrictions, such as a license agreement, shall be labeled as such and the use of those data shall be in accordance with the designated license. Unless the content is marked with a use restriction or license, data provided from a NASA led mission are licensed as Creative Commons Zero (CC0). There are no restrictions on the use of these data.

NASA occasionally uses copyrighted material by permission on its website. NASA’s use does not convey any rights to others to use the same material. Those wishing to use copyrighted material must contact the copyright holder directly.

NASA does not license the use of NASA materials or sign licensing agreements. The agency generally has no objection to the reproduction and use of these materials, subject to the following conditions:

• NASA material may not be used to suggest or imply endorsement by NASA or by any NASA employee of a commercial product, service, or activity, or used in any manner that might mislead; please see NASA Advertising Guidelines and Merchandising Guidelines for more information
• It is unlawful to falsely claim copyright or other rights in NASA material
• NASA shall in no way be liable for any costs, expenses, claims, or demands arising out of the use of NASA material by a recipient or a recipient's distributees
• NASA does not indemnify nor hold harmless users of NASA material, nor release such users from copyright infringement, nor grant exclusive use rights with respect to NASA material
• NASA material is not protected by copyright within the United States, unless noted. If copyrighted, permission should be obtained from the copyright owner prior to use. If not copyrighted, NASA material may be reproduced and distributed without further permission from NASA

Citations and Acknowledgments

NASA should be acknowledged as the source of the material where applicable; Users are encouraged to follow the following instructions, as guidance may vary depending on the originating source and scientific discipline.

NASA ESDIS has a free and open policy for data and information generated under NASA sponsorship. NASA data are freely accessible; however, when you publish these data or works based on the data, we request that you cite the datasets within the text of the publication and include a reference to them in your reference list. References to datasets should have enough detail to provide readers of your publication with the ability to obtain the datasets and conduct their own studies based on your work. For complete provenance and understanding of specifically which parts of data were used and how, it also may be necessary to describe in detail, within the body of the publication, exactly how the data were used.

DAAC Citations and Acknowledgments

Each discipline within Earth Science has its own unique approach to data. There are discipline-specific examples on how to cite and reference data and services. The links to this information at NASA Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs) are given below:

• Alaska Satellite Facility DAAC (ASF DAAC)
• Atmospheric Science Data Center (ASDC)
• Crustal Dynamics Data Information System (CDDIS)
• Global Hydrometeorology Resource Center DAAC (GHRC DAAC)
• Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC)
• Land Processes DAAC (LP DAAC)
• Level 1 and Atmosphere Archive and Distribution System DAAC (LAADS DAAC)
• National Snow and Ice Data Center DAAC (NSIDC DAAC)
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory DAAC (ORNL DAAC)
• Ocean Biology DAAC (OB.DAAC)
• Physical Oceanography DAAC (PO.DAAC)
• Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC)

GHRC DAAC Citations

Datasets and related data products and services are provided by the NASA Global Hydrometeorology Resource Center (GHRC) DAAC, managed by the NASA Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS) project. The GHRC DAAC is one of the Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs), part of the ESDIS project. NASA data are freely accessible; however, when you publish these data or works based on the data, we request that you cite the datasets within the text of the publication and include a reference to them in your reference list. References to datasets, like the examples, below, should have enough detail to provide readers of your publication with the ability to obtain the datasets and conduct their own studies based on your work. (For complete provenance and understanding of specifically which parts of data were used and how, it also may be necessary to describe in detail, within the body of the publication, exactly how the data were used.) Examples of dataset citations:

• Heymsfield, A.J., A. Bansemer, and M. Poellot. 2014. GPM Ground Validation NCAR Cloud Microphysics Particle Probes GCPEx [indicate subset used]. Dataset available online from the NASA Global Hydrometeorology Resource Center DAAC, Huntsville, Alabama, U.S.A. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.5067/GPMGV/GCPEX/MUTIPLE/DATA201
• Cecil, D.J., D. Buechler, and R. Blakeslee. 2014. LIS/OTD Gridded Lightning Climatology Data Collection. Data set available online from the NASA Global Hydrometeorology Resource Center DAAC, Huntsville, Alabama, U.S.A. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.5067/LIS/LIS-OTD/DATA311
• Wentz, F.J., K. Hilburn and D.K. Smith. 2012. RSS SSM/I Ocean Product Grids 3-Day Average from DMSP F11 netCDF [indicate subset used]. Data set available online from the NASA Global Hydrometeorology Resource Center DAAC, Huntsville, Alabama, U.S.A. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.5067/MEASURES/DMSP-F11/SSMI/DATA302

Please note that a recommended citation is provided for each dataset and appears on the GHRC landing page that describes the dataset. The citation can be downloaded in RIS format, and the elements contained in the recommended citation can be reorganized for compliance with a particular reference style that is specified by a publisher.

GHRC DAAC Acknowledgments

An acknowledgement is a general statement that can be used to provide credit to the NASA Global Hydrometeorology Resource Center DAAC for data, assistance, or reviews that have been provided. Please include such statements, either where the use of the data or other resource is described, or within the Acknowledgements section of the publication. Examples of acknowledgement statements are included below.

Image Downloaded from a Website

3-day average ocean product images from the SSMI instrument are provided by the NASA Global Hydrometeorology Resource Center DAAC. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.5067/MEASURES/DMSP-F11/SSMI/DATA302. Accessed on August 20, 2015.

Tools and Services

The sea surface temperature data were obtained through the online Regional Air-Sear Interactions (RASI) tool at the NASA Global Hydrometeorology Resource Center DAAC, Huntsville, AL. https://ghrc.nsstc.nasa.gov/rasi/getnew.php

DOI Citation Formatter

The DOI Citation Formatter is a tool that allows you to use the DOI for a data set to create a citation in multiple styles. The NASA Global Hydrometeorology Resource Center DAAC provides Digital Object Identifiers (DOI) for all of our data sets. The DOI for each data set can be found on the data set landing page accessible via the GHRC Search Portal.

SEDAC Data Citations and Acknowledgments

SEDAC Citations

A database of all identified publications that cite SEDAC data is now available.

Data sets and related data products and services are provided by SEDAC managed by the NASA Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS) project. SEDAC is one of the Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs), part of the ESDIS project. NASA data are freely accessible; however, when you publish these data or works based on the data, we request that you cite the data sets within the text of the publication and include a reference to them in your reference list. References to data sets, like the examples, below, should have enough detail to provide readers of your publication with the ability to obtain the data sets and conduct their own studies based on your work. (For complete provenance and understanding of specifically which parts of data were used and how, it also may be necessary to describe in detail, within the body of the publication, exactly how the data were used.)  Examples of data set citations are included below.

Data Developed and Distributed by SEDAC

Center for International Earth Science Information Network - CIESIN - Columbia University. 2018. Gridded Population of the World, Version 4.11 (GPWv4): Population Count, Revision 11. Palisades, NY: NASA Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC). https://doi.org/10.7927/H4JW8BX5. Accessed DAY MONTH YEAR.

Third-Party Data Distributed by SEDAC

Gao, J. and M. Pesaresi, 2021. Global 1-km Downscaled Urban Land Extent Projection and Base Year Grids by SSP Scenarios, 2000-2100. Palisades, NY: NASA Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC). https://doi.org/10.7927/1z4r-ez63. Accessed DAY MONTH YEAR.

Data Accessed via a Service or Tool

Center for International Earth Science Information Network - CIESIN - Columbia University. 2018. Population Estimation Service, Version 3 (PES-v3). Palisades, NY: NASA Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC). https://doi.org/10.7927/H4DR2SK5. Accessed DAY MONTH YEAR.

Map

Center for International Earth Science Information Network - CIESIN - Columbia University, International Food Policy Research Institute - IFPRI, The World Bank, and Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical - CIAT. 2011. Global Rural-Urban Mapping Project, Version 1 (GRUMPv1): Urban Extents Grid (Africa). Palisades, NY: NASA Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC). DOI. Accessed DAY MONTH YEAR.

A recommended citation is provided for each SEDAC data set and appears on the landing page for that data set. The elements contained in the recommended citation can be reorganized for compliance with the particular reference style used by a publisher.

SEDAC Acknowledgments

SEDAC strongly encourages its users to cite data or service usage within the reference list of a publication.  In publications where that is not possible an acknowledgement is a general statement that can be used to provide credit to SEDAC for data, assistance, or reviews that have been provided. Please include such statements, either where the use of the data or other resource is described, or within the Acknowledgements section of the publication.  Examples of acknowledgement statements are included below.

Dataset

The Low Elevation Coastal Zone (LECZ) Urban-Rural Population and Land Area Estimates, Version 2 data were developed by the Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University and were obtained from the NASA Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC) at https://doi.org/10.7927/H4MW2F2J. Accessed on DAY MONTH YEAR.

Map

The map of Global Roads Open Access Data Set (gROADS), v1 for Africa was downloaded from the NASA Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC) at DOI.  Accessed on DAY MONTH YEAR.

Citing SEDAC Documents, Publications, and Web Pages

In addition to data, a number of documents are available via the SEDAC website. Examples of how to cite those documents are listed below.

Document

de Sherbinin, A., D. Balk, K. Yager, M. Jaiteh, F. Pozzi, C. Giri, and A. Wannebo. 2002. Social Science Applications of Remote Sensing: CIESIN Thematic Guides. Palisades, NY: Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University. https://sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu/binaries/web/sedac/thematic-guides/ciesin_ssars_tg.pdf.

Webpage

About SEDAC. https://earthdata.nasa.gov/centers/sedac-daac, Retrieved DAY MONTH YEAR.

Cross-DAAC Services Citations and Acknowledgments

In addition, the following cross-DAAC services provided by NASA ESDIS may be cited as shown below:

• International Directory Network (IDN)
• Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Keywords
• Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS)
• Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP)
• Land, Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for Earth observation (LANCE)
• Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS)

International Directory Network (IDN)

Please refer to How to cite the International Directory Network for more information.

Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Keywords

Please refer to GCMD Keywords citation details (scroll to the bottom of the page) for more information.

Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS)

Please refer to the GIBS Data Use Policy and Acknowledgements for more information.

Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP)

The Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP) provides a clear, concise guidelines document that may help in determining the format of a dataset reference.LANCE and FIRMS Citations and Acknowledgments

LANCE and FIRMS

If you provide Land, Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for Earth observation (LANCE) or Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) data to a third party, we request you follow the guidelines below and replicate or provide a link to our disclaimer.

Acknowledgments

We request that end users add the following acknowledgment when they make use of LANCE data products or imagery for subsequent distribution, derive value added products, or use or reference LANCE products in written or oral presentations.

LANCE

We acknowledge the use of data and/or imagery from NASA's Land, Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for Earth observations (LANCE) (https://earthdata.nasa.gov/lance), part of NASA's Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS).

Worldview

We acknowledge the use of imagery from NASA's Worldview application (https://worldview.earthdata.nasa.gov), part of NASA's Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS).

Worldview Snapshots

We acknowledge the use of imagery from the Worldview Snapshots application (https://wvs.earthdata.nasa.gov), part of NASA's Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS).

GIBS

We acknowledge the use of imagery provided by services from NASA's Global Imagery Browse Services (GIBS), part of NASA's Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS).

FIRMS

We acknowledge the use of data and/or imagery from NASA's Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) (https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/data/tools/firms), part of NASA's Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS).

Please note—FIRMS distributes near real-time (NRT) and standard fire products from: Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) from the Terra and Aqua platforms, and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) (375m) from the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP), NOAA-20, and NOAA-21 platforms. If you are using the data in a scientific publication, we encourage you to be clear which source you use and whether the data are NRT or standard products (view more information on the difference between NRT and standard fire data). We recommend you read the MODIS Fire User Guide to ensure you are using the most appropriate source of MODIS active fire data for your application.

Suggested Data Citations For Active Fire Data Distributed via FIRMS

Open Data and the Importance of Data Citations

In addition to providing free and open access to data, NASA’s Earth Science Data Systems Program values transparency and reproducibility in scientific research, as do organizations with similar objectives such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), ESIP, the Coalition on Publishing Data in the Earth and Space Sciences (COPDESS), and the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).

As such, NASA recognizes the importance of authors using NASA-provided datasets to clearly indicate which datasets were used and provide access to these datasets to readers. While there are several ways of accomplishing this objective, citing datasets unambiguously is among the best.

NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) will continue to take steps proactively to improve these open data and data citation policies to remain in line with the policies of our community. Our overarching objectives are to ensure that data from NASA’s Earth Science Data Systems Program can easily be accessed and that research based on NASA-supported datasets clearly cites the sources of these data.