2.3. Level-0 Data Processing

Level-0 processing converts the raw telemetry data into images that look like they did on the CCD.
I.e. the transmission specific details are not needed to interpret the level-0 data and the images
are in a form that is available for immediate use. Internal storage format for level-0 will be
e.g. FITZ (lossless compression version of FITS) files with one file per image.
Data exported from level-0 will be FITS format files with one file per image.
A level-0 dataunit will be a collection of level-0 images. The collection will be ordered as a
time series of like images with some duration (e.g. minutes or hours) or a series of a set of
related images (e.g. the 20 filtergrams that will generate one set of vector field observables).
The particular sets of standard data products at level-0 will be chosen to facilitate the level-1
processing. The level-0 data is changed in format and organization but will not have the values
changed in a way that can not be removed. The level-0 data will be archived on permanent media
and kept offline at the JSOC. The level-0 data will also be kept in the online archive for 30-60 days.
The housekeeping data that is bundled into the high-rate channel will also is stored as level-0 data types.
HMI Level-0 data is not expected to be particularly useful as is for science analysis.
AIA level-0 data will be useful and may in fact be the format used by many analyses depending
on the variability and complexity that may be desired The AIA Level-0 data will be maintained
in near-line tape libraries for the duration of the mission.