The JWST Science Calibration Pipeline automatically processes data for all available observing modes, and provides science-ready calibrated data for these modes. Details about the science calibration pipeline architecture and algorithms can be found in this Read the Docs webpage.

See also: JWST Data Calibration Considerations, JWST Science Calibration Pipeline Overview

Each stage of the science calibration pipeline uses a set of instrument-specific reference files that ensure the science calibration pipeline meets its accuracy requirements. All calibration reference files are stored in the Calibration Reference Data System (CRDS).

Before launch, instrument teams used dummy or ground testing data to support development of the science calibration pipeline stages. Now that JWST is in-flight, data taken during commissioning and by Cycle 1 calibration programs will be used to produce the highest quality reference files. Some of these files have been already updated by the instrument teams using commissioning and Cycle 1 data; however, updates to reference files will be a continuous process through the lifetime of the mission.

For information on citing your calibration reference files for publication, see the guidelines in How to Cite JWST Data Processing Versions and Reference Files. 

---

Reference file types

The detailed software documentation contains a table with the full list of all the different reference file types that are used for various JWST instruments in the pipeline steps, as part of the science calibration pipeline stages. Each reference file includes a set of required keywords documenting the contents of the reference files, how and when these were created, and the reason for the updates. The header keyword PEDIGREE provides information about the type of data used to create the reference file. Those created before launch  can be identified by the PEDIGREE value of DUMMY, MODEL, or GROUND. After launch, these files have a PEDIGREE header keyword value of INFLIGHT, followed by the dates when the data were taken. Information on how these files were created using commissioning data, their limitations, and the effects these have on the science data are available as JWST technical reports .

The reference file types table includes links to more details about specific header keywords for each type of file, format, and the instruments for which the reference files are used.

---

Calibration Reference Data System

Calibration reference files are stored and managed within the Calibration Reference Data System (CRDS). CRDS is directly integrated with calibration steps and pipeline stages via reference file mappings, also known as contexts, that are set by default to always access the best reference files for the data, according to certain selection rules (for example, instrument and filter used for an observation). Mappings provide a full view of all the reference files and rules that apply with each version. Accessing the CRDS website allows users to identify the reference files that apply to particular observing modes. The website also provides tabular information for each reference file, such as the "ACTIVATION DATE" for when these files were activated for use in the JWST Operational Pipeline, and their "PEDIGREE", indicating the type of data used to create these files. (To see these columns, click on an instrument, then on one of the reference files listed below.)

The information about the contexts used in the calibration of all science is provided in the header keyword CRDS_CTX of the calibrated data. Comparing contexts allows the identification of changes in rules and files used. 

The science calibration pipeline pages provide more information on how to specify the desired CRDS context version when running the science calibration pipeline. The CRDS User Manual provides details on how it works and other CRDS tools for exploring the collection of reference files.

Reference files and my data

When updated calibration reference files are delivered to CRDS the data are reprocessed by the JWST Operational Pipeline and re-archived in the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes (MAST). This process can take some time; delivery of a reference file and activation of a context in operations does not guarantee the data in MAST have been updated. Users have the option to subscribe to a mailing list to receive notifications about deliveries of all new reference files or subscribe to be notified of when their data has been reprocessed with the updated reference files.

Subscribing to notifications about new reference files

For each instrument, users can be notified about new reference files deliveries by subscribing to a list server notification system. All you have to do is send an email command to the list server. The list server's domain name is maillist.stsci.edu. The list server "subscribe" command for each instrument is listed below: 

• MIRI: miri_reffiles_upd-subscribe-request
• NIRCAM: nircam_reffiles_upd-subscribe-request
• NIRISS: niriss_reffiles_upd-subscribe-request
• NIRSPEC: nirspec_reffiles_upd-subscribe-request
• FGS: fgs_reffiles_upd-subscribe-request

To subscribe to notifications, send an email (with no subject and email body) using the address format <subscribe_command>@maillist.stsci.edu. For example, to subscribe to MIRI reference files deliveries, send an email to miri_reffiles_upd-subscribe-request @ maillist.stsci.edu. 

The Reference Data for Calibration and Tools Management (ReDCaT) team will authorize your request and you will receive an e-mail with information about the mailing list and how to unsubscribe.

Whenever a delivery of reference files is activated for use with the JWST Operational Pipeline, the ReDCaT Team sends a notification indicating the type of files delivered, the modes affected, and the USEAFTER dates for the files. It also includes the full list of files, the reason for the delivery, and relevant links.

Using the new context, users can recalibrate their data locally following the documentation on how to set the desired context.

If you prefer to wait for your data to be reprocessed by the operational pipeline, use the MAST Portal  to subscribe to observations of interest. You will receive notifications when recalibrated products appear in the Archive. See the Program Subscriptions and Notifications chapter of the Portal Guide for details.

---

Upcoming improvements to calibration reference data

Listed below are planned calibration reference data deliveries as well as planned work to assess the accuracy of the data.

---

References 

The following table provides a list of some of the JWST Technical Reports that provide descriptions of the observations taken and the methods used to generate reference files for the calibration of JWST data using commissioning data. Reports from other instruments and modes will be listed here when these become available.

---