Sources and Examples of Imagery
ADEOS-I - NASDAADEOS-I acquired global earth observation data for about seven months until it suddenly got out of control on June 30, 1997 because of the structural damage in its solar array paddle. It carried a full suite of sensors that included AVNIR (Advanced Visible Near Infrared Radiometer) and OCTS (Ocean Color and Temperature Scanner).
Alaska Synthetic Aperture Radar Facility - UAF
Alaska SAR Facility's (ASF's) primary mission is to acquire, process, archive, and distribute satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data for the U.S. government and research communities. They are involved in a wide range of activities, from planning data acquisitions to calibrating our SAR processor's output, from developing SAR data analysis tools to hosting SAR-related workshops. ASF is housed within the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and is primarily funded through NASA's Earth Observing System.
Alexandria Digital Image Library - UCSB
Proposed online imagery library.
Arizona Regional Image Archive
Impressive selection of imagery and other data sets for the State of Arizona and surrounding regions. A must for any students looking for raw data sets of the southwest United States to analyze for projects or theses.
ASTER Simulation Data Set
ASTER Simulator data of Death Valley. It includes terrain data and land cover classification as well. Nice data set for a student project or lab exercise.
ATSR: Sea Surface Temperature Mapping - ESA
A series of tools to visualize SST mapping from the ATSR data sets archived and maintained at ESA/ESRIN. Algorithms are provided! Part of the Ionia Server.
AVHRR: Fire Mapping - ESA
A series of tools to visualize fire mapping from the AVHRR data sets archived and maintained at ESA/ESRIN. Algorithms are provided! Part of the Ionia Server.
AVHRR: Image Gallery - Johns Hopkins University
Excellent set of images illustrating different uses for AVHRR imagery. Also, see their AVHRR Image of the Week.
AVHRR: Indonesian Wildfires - USGS
The color images generated from thermal infrared and visible data depict the fires in southeastern Borneo with their massive smoke plumes spreading over Indonesia and most of the region.
AVHRR: JGOFS Satellite Imagery - University of Miami
This is a prototype server being developed to provide near-real time imagery to JGOFS investigators.
AVIRIS - NASA
The Airborne Visible InfraRed Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) is a unique optical sensor that delivers calibrated images of the upwelling spectral radiance in 224 contiguous spectral channels with wavelengths from 400 to 2500 nanometers (nm). Sample data sets are on-line and data can be ordered for research purposes.
C.E.N. Digital Satellite Images - CEN
C.E.N. has established relations with a Russian provider of digital satellite imagery to broker 2- to 10-meter (3-meter multispectral and 2-meter panchromatic) imagery, resolution significantly higher than that obtainable from other commercial sources.
Coastal Services Center Products - NOAA
The NOAA-CSC provides satellite imagery data products on CD-ROM.
Coastal Zone Color Scanner Classic Imagery - NASA
Imagery sets from the CZCS.
CoastWatch - NOAA
NOAA's CoastWatch Program makes satellite data products, and in-situ data from NOAA environmental buoys, available to Federal, state, and local marine scientists and coastal resource managers. The Internet is used as the primary telecommunications pathway for digital data distribution. Once data are delivered to the CoastWatch Regional Nodes they become available for local use by state, local and federal marine scientists and decision makers. An ever growing number of federal, state, and local organizations are establishing a formal relationship with local CoastWatch Regional Nodes for routine timely access to CoastWatch image products.
Desert Shield and Desert Storm Imagery - FAS
Lots of terrific images from the Arabian Gulf War.
DMSP - NGDC
Each Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellite monitors the atmospheric, oceanographic and solar-geophysical environment of the Earth. The data from the DMSP satellites are recieved and used at operational centers on a continual basis. The data are sent daily to the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) for creation of an archive.
EarthRise Topographic Search
An active system to search for Space Shuttle Photography.
EDC DAAC - USGS
The EROS Data Center (EDC) DAAC was established as part of NASA's EOS Data and Information System (EOSDIS) initiative to process, archive, and distribute land-related data collected by EOS sensors, thereby promoting the interdisciplinary study and understanding of the integrated Earth system. The EDC DAAC role subsequently was expanded to include processing and distribution responsibilities related to Landsat 7 data.
EOC - NASDA
The Earth Observation Center (EOC) provides links to imagery examples of different satellite systems. Hosted by the National Space Development of Japan, many of the data are from ADEOS, JERS, and MOS.
EOS: Earth Images and Data - NASA
Similar data sets to what is available at NASA-DAACs, except that sites are broken down into user levels.
EROS Data Center - USGS
The Earth Resources Observation Systems (EROS) Data Center is a data repository, data management, systems development, and research field center for the USGS's National Mapping Division. The Data Center houses one of the largest computer complexes in the Department of the Interior and stores thousands of satellite images. Their Virtual Tour is excellent for those unfamiliar with the Data Center.
Florida Bay AVHRR Imagery - USGS
Example of AVHRR imagery for reflectance and SST for Florida Bay.
Geo-Cover - EarthSat
Imagery sets produced and maintained by the Earth Satellite Corporation.
Geo-Image Library for the Massachusetts Coast - MIT
Download DOQs for coastal Massachusetts from this most-excellent site.
Global Change Master Directory - NASA
A comprehensive directory about Earth science and global change data and the systems that collect the data.
Global Hydrology and Climate Center - NASA
Online research imagery and data that is available from the GHCC.
Global Land Information System - USGS
The Global Land Information System (GLIS) is an interactive computer system developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for scientists seeking sources of information about the Earth's land surfaces. Through GLIS, scientists can evaluate data sets, determine their availability, and place online requests for products. GLIS is more than a mere list of products. It offers online samples of earth science data that may be ordered through the system.
Global View From Space - NASA
Near-real time viewing of weather satellite data. The entire Earth can be viewed using on-screen tools.
Goddard DAAC - NASA
The Goddard DAAC is a repository of Earth science information, especially that relating to NASA's Earth Science Enterprise. Sample imagery covering various applications is available for browsing and downloading.
GOES - NOAA
The Geostationery Satellite Server provides meteorological satellite data in near-real time. Additional data can be found here.
Imagery Intelligence Gallery - FAS
Lots of high-tech/high resolution photographs and images from military agencies. Cool stuff!
Images from Canada - CCRS
Learn how to interpret images from different sensors and satellites. Look at the mountains of Kluane National Park, ice in the the waters off Ranklin Inlet, and much more.
Imaging Radar - NASA
The Imaging Radar's web site is based out of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. There are three objectives for this Web site; (1) to inform the public about the work NASA/JPL and other institutions are conducting in radar remote sensing of the Earth's surface, (2) to describe to any and all interested users how they may obtain, use, and analyze radar data and images, and (3) educational outreach.
JPL Physical Oceanography DAAC - NASA
The Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center archives and distributes data relevant to the physical state of the oceans. The site includes Physical Oceanography from Space for kids.
Kansas: The View from Space - NASA
Series of shuttle photographs depicting landforms of Kansas.
Kuwait Data Archive - NCAR
This defunct archive was created to study the effects of the Kuwait oil fires on the environment. Some screen grabs are still available and interesting to look at.
Landsat Thematic Mapper Data Sets
Numerous 512 x 512 TM scenes that are excellent for classroom exercises and experimental research projects.
Langley Atmospheric Sciences DAAC - NASA
The Langley Atmospheric Sciences DAAC is responsible for the processing, archival and distribution of NASA Earth science data in the areas of radiation budget, clouds, aerosols, and tropospheric chemistry. The Langley Data Center was established in 1991 to support the Earth Observing System (EOS) as part of NASA's Earth Science enterprise and the U.S. Global Change Research Program.
MAS - NASA
The MODIS Airborne Simulator (MAS) acquires high spatial resolution imagery of cloud and surface features. Data sets collected for both atmospheric monitoring and terrestrial mapping are available at this site.
NESDIS - NOAA
The National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) is NOAA's main site for information regarding its satellite resources and imagery.
Nebraska from Space - CALMIT
Satellite images depicting the State of Nebraska.
Observatorium - NASA
NASA's Observatorium is a public access site for Earth and space data. It has pictures of the Earth, planets, stars, and other cool stuff, as well as the stories behind those images.
Ocean Color Data and Resources
The Goddard DAAC provides access to data from ocean color sensors currently in operation, as well as historical data sets. CZCS and SeaWiFS are the present data sets available. Additional info can be found here.
Oceanography from the Space Shuttle - NASA
Oceanography from the Space Shuttle is a pictorial survey of oceanic phenomenon visible to the naked eye from space. Originally published in 1989, it is now out of print and only available on this web site.
OCTS - NASDA
Download OCTS data sets that were collected by the ADEOS-I satellite.
OSEI - NOAA
The Operational Significant Event Imagery Server provides high-resolution, detailed imagery of significant natural or anthropogenic environmental events.
ORNL DAAC - NASA
The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) DAAC for Biogeochemical Dynamics is operated as part of NASA's Earth Science Enterprise. The ORNL DAAC maintains data related to biogeochemical dynamics which are the result of the interactions between the biological, geological, and chemical components of the Earth's environment.
Photo Gallery - NASA
NASA creating a one-stop site for all of its still-imaging.
Photo Library - NASDA
A nice set of images to browse and learm more about the sensor systems supported by NASDA satellites.
RS/GIS Archive - USBR
Selected satellite imagery and other digital image products of the western United States, supplied by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
Russian Satellite Photography - CEN
C.E.N. has established relations with a Russian provider of digital satellite imagery to broker 2- to 10-meter imagery. Examples are provided as GIFs and JPEGs.
Satellite Active Archive - NOAA
The mission of the Satellite Active Archive (SAA) is to provide electronic distribution of data and derived data products from U.S. polar-orbiting environmental satellites. Currently there are no fees associated with the SAA's on-line services. NOAA asks only that researchers cite "the NOAA Satellite Active Archive" as the data source in all publications, articles, papers, etc. for which our data sets have contributed value.
Satellite Altimetry Data Site - NOAA
Satellite altimetry data and products.
Satellite Resources - NCDC
The National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) manages a unique source of environmental satellite data and information. The NCDC environmental satellite database, an element of the overall National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service (NESDIS) environmental database, has over 260 terabytes of digital satellite information and countless hard copies of satellite imagery collected from NOAA's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) and Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellites (POES). Also, selected data from various NASA research satellites and Department of Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites are part of this vast database.
SeaWiFS - NASA
The Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) is an ocean color remote sensing satellite. Data sets and imagery examples are available on-line.
SIR-C and X-SAR - NASA
The Imaging Radar's web site is teeming with lots of good examples of SIR-C and X-SAR images. Some data sets are free and others can be ordered for a small nominal fee.
SLAR - USGS
The Side-Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR) is an active microwave sensor. Data sets can be ordered from the USGS and several examples are available on-line.
Carterra's Image Catalog - Space Imaging
Imagery available from Space Imaging. Includes Landsat, IRS, RADARSAT, and IKONOS.
SSEOP: Earth from Space - NASA
The Space Shuttle Earth Observations Photography (SSEOP) database has over 250,000 images available for browsing and downloading. Another access point can be found here.
UN Environment Programme/Global Resource Information Database - USGS
UN Environment Programme/Global Resource Information Database (UNEP/GRID)-Sioux Falls has been very active in the development and design of scientifically credible products in a timely manner to support decision-making in areas where the international community is actively engaged. The programme has also facilitated the flow of developing country data to the North American scientific community and vice versa.
Virtual Nebraska - CASDE
The Consortium for the Application of Space Data to Education (CASDE) was formed to make space data holdings more easily accessible to educators and students. Virtual Nebraska serves as the prototype state for one of CASDE’s key objectives ~ Virtual America. It integrates CASDE data sets, imagery, tutorials, tools and information under one umbrella, thus serving as the mechanism that allows users to browse data without being preoccupied with the nuances of tools and esoteric data formats.
Visualization of Remote Sensing Data - NASA
Images, movies, and 3D renderings of satellite imagery data.