The Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) is a solar wind monitoring system that provides early warnings before a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) or shockwave strikes our planet. DSCOVR data supports forecasts and research that allow power grid and satellite operators time to protect critical infrastructure from damage or disruption.
How do I access DSCOVR Data?
NESDIS Space Weather Portal (SPOT)
Use the NESDIS Spaces weather Portal (SPOT) to visualize, download, search for, and compare NCEI space weather datasets.
The following operational data products are available for download.
| Product name and data access link | Description |
|---|---|
| fc0_dscovr | Faraday Cup Level 0 full resolution data (e.g. counts rather than physical units) |
| fc1_dscovr | Faraday Cup Level 1 full resolution data (scientific units) |
| f3s_dscovr | Faraday Cup 3 second resolution data |
| f1m_dscovr | Faraday Cup 1 minute averages |
| fcc_dscovr | Faraday Cup calibration file |
| mg0_dscovr | Magnetometer Level 0 full resolution data (e.g. counts rather than physical units) |
| mg1_dscovr | Magnetometer Level 1 full resolution data (scientific units) |
| m1s_dscovr | Magnetometer 1 second resolution data |
| m1m_dscovr | Magnetometer 1 minute averages |
| mcc_dscovr | Magnetometer calibration file |
| vc0_dscovr | DSCOVR raw telemetry |
| vc1_dscovr | DSCOVR stored raw telemetry |
| rt0_dscovr | DSCOVR real time raw telemetry retransmitted from receiving station |
| rt1_dscovr | DSCOVR stored raw telemetry retransmitted from receiving station |
| pop_dscovr | DSCOVR Predicted Orbit Product. Position and velocity in gse, gsi, gsm. |
| att_dscovr | DSCOVR attitude product |
| tmd_dscovr | DSCOVR telemetry database |
How does DSCOVR provide early warnings about Coronal Mass Ejections and other space weather events?
DSCOVR is stationed approximately 1.5 million kilometers (0.01 AU) away from Earth at the L1 Lagrange Point, which allows the spacecraft to maintain a relatively constant position in the solar wind directed at Earth.
From the L1 point, DSCOVR can detect solar wind anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour before reaching Earth, depending on the wind's speed. This vantage point provides forecasters with an early warning window before a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) or shockwave strikes our planet, allowing power grid and satellite operators time to engage protective measures.
What instruments does DSCOVR use?
DSCOVR relies on the PlasMag instrument suite, which includes:
- Magnetometer (MAG): Measures the solar wind magnetic field vector
- Faraday Cup (FC): Measures the speed, density, and temperature of the solar wind
These instruments allow forecasters to measure the polarity of the magnetic field carried by the solar wind (specifically the vertical Bz component). Forecasters can use this information to determine if a storm will magnetically connect with Earth's magnetosphere and cause a geomagnetic storm.