EarthNow! Landsat Image Viewer
EarthNow! displays near-real time imagery of Landsat 7 and Landsat 8 data being collected by USGS as the satellites cross over the Earth. Along with live stream video, the tool also replays image loops from a list of recent overpass recordings.
To learn more about each Landsat satellite, sensors, bands, and years of operation, please visit the Landsat Missions website.
EarthNow! is based on FarEarth Global Observer (developed by Pinkmatter Solutions) to help visualize incoming data for satellite receiving stations, which is freely available to the public. FarEarth Global Observer includes passes from Landsat's International Ground Stations, along with the USGS-acquired imagery shown on EarthNow!
EarthNow! allows users to see recent data acquired by the Landsat 7 and Landsat 8 satellites in near-real time. When no active acquisitions are being made, the most recent pass is replayed. The screen is divided between the main display and the sidebar controls.
The image feed appears on the left hand side of the screen. Each pass has a swath width between 185 and 190 kilometers (115-118.1 miles). The edges of the feed appear jagged because of the way the Landsat sensors collect image data. As the satellite travels above the Earth's surface, the sensor rapidly scans the viewing area from side to side. The imaging detectors are turned off momentarily at the edge of the image. They are turned on at a slightly different point in the return scan than where they were turned off, giving the imagery a jagged edge.
The top display on the right sidebar indicates which Landsat mission is being displayed, and indicates whether it is a recorded pass or near-real time live-streaming. This sidebar also features band combination selection feed controls, the satellite location ancillary map, the date and time of acquisition, the path and row numbers, and geographical information specific to the area being displayed.
Video Display | Red | Green | Blue |
---|---|---|---|
Landsat 7 True Color | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Landsat 7 Vegetation Analysis | 7 | 4 | 2 |
Landsat 8 True Color | 4 | 3 | 2 |
Landsat 8 Vegetation Analysis | 7 | 5 | 3 |
DD MMM YYYY
format.The recordings tab displays a list of recorded passes. Clicking on the green "play" triangle interrupts the current pass on the main display and display the recorded pass. After viewing the recorded pass is complete, the most recent feed is again displayed.
Questions about EarthNow! can be directed to:
USGS User ServicesThe highest available browser version is always recommended to efficiently use EarthNow!. While the tool may work in other browsers, not all combinations of operating systems and plug-ins or add-ons have been tested.
The browsers listed below have been tested and are deemed sufficient as of the date noted: January 11, 2017
For Desktop
For Mobile