Understand the Differences Between Observations
Low-Earth-orbit satellites observe along a track, while ground magnetic records capture changes at individual stations. GNSS-TEC concerns total electron content along the signal path between a satellite and receiver. Records from the same time do not necessarily cover the same location or measure the same quantity.
For an individual analysis, check the dataset or product name, provider, processing level, version, and target interval actually used.
Read Values Alongside Metadata
Time systems, coordinates, units, sampling intervals, station or spacecraft information, and quality flags are essential to interpretation. Gaps and locally applied transformations also matter. Overlooking these differences can make an apparent mismatch look like a physical change.
Read the Usage Terms
Public access does not mean unrestricted use. Citation, acknowledgement, figure use, and redistribution terms vary by provider. Check the provider's guidance and license before using the data.
Trace the Source of an Analysis
To review a result, consult the product name, version, access date, and provider link accompanying the analysis. Products and versions can differ even within the same data category, so the record of the data actually used matters more than a general overview.