A key component of the SOFIA Data Cycle System (DCS), the SOFIA data archive is the repository for all raw scientific and housekeeping data accumulated during SOFIA flights. It also contains reduced data products generated by the FSI pipelines. Access to the SOFIA data archives is via the DCS Web Page. Any member of the astronomical community may browse the archive. However, retrieval of non-proprietary data requires registration with the DCS and a username and password.
The process of searching for and retrieval of science data in the SOFIA archives is similar to that used in most astronomical archives. Specifically, a researcher will be able to search on:
- Project ID or observer name
- Target name or coordinates
- Instrument, wavelength, or observing mode
- Observations date
A search can also be done on a combination of parameters. Summary data are returned for all matching data products, with enough detail for the researcher to determine what datasets are relevant to his/her project. Once the researcher has identified the data products she or he would like to retrieve, the files are staged to a public FTP server and a direct link e-mailed to the user. The researcher can then download the files at his or her leisure using a standard FTP client. All science data products are available in their original (native) format (e.g. FITS).
