 |
| 20 FREE Satellite Imagery Data Sources. Part-1 |
Most GIS and remote sensing specialists are oblivious of abundant websites that provide free quality satellite images. I bring to you top-notched valuable researched sources of free satellite imagery from some relevant space agencies around the globe.
1. NASA Earth Observations (NEO)
NASA’s Earth Observations (NEO) strives to make global satellite imagery very accessible to all users. It is the best when it comes to accessing our local environment daily from space with over 50 global datasets from atmosphere, energy, land, life, ocean and a whole lot more.2. USSG Earth explorer
The USGS Earth Explorer remains an incredibly rich imagery data source from the remotest to the most urban location, anywhere around the world. For a number of reasons, USGS stands tallest in the provision of abundant free satellite images. With over forty years of the knowledge of the earth, their reputation is unmatched as long as access to Landsat data is concerned. You can easily acquaint yourself with NASA’s ASTER and Shuttle Radar Topography Missions global Digital Elevation Models. USGS grants you full access to NASA’s Land Data Products and Services such as Hyperion’s hyperspectral data, disperse Radar data and MODIS & AVHRR land surface reflectance. There’s no gain-saying that USGS is the best source of free satellite imagery for a very long time.Use this link to explore the unlimited and unrestricted data access from USSG.
3. ESA’s Sentinel Satellite data
The official download headquarters for the European Space Agency’s Sentinel satellite data, Sentinel’s Scientific Data Hub can be said to rub shoulder with USGS. The reason is, Sentinel -2a and 2b are likewise a free satellite imagery for all having more spectral bands (12) and crisper resolution. With the addition of Sentinel -1, a C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar of the globe is just a click away. More so, the soon to be launched ESA’s Copernicus Programme, where another five earth observing satellites made possible bytool box – sentinel-2 further increases the source of acquiring data remotely from ESA’s.One can only cease this rear opportunity through this link.
4. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Class
NOAA’s has a distinct online data library system, a pool of free top quality and valuable geographic data sets which set them apart. Still, USGS Earth Explorer and Sentinel Science Data Hub are more ergonomic.The Comprehensive Large Array-data Stewardship System (CLASS) is really in a class of its own with abundance of data accumulated from other rich and viable sources such as the US Department of Defense (DoD) Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite (POES), Environmental Satellite (GOES), NOAA’s Geostationary, Operational), and other derived data.5. Terra Populus
Terra Populus ability to integrate population and environmental data from over 160 countries around the world makes it very unique. It combines spatiotemporal data covering population counts and surveys, satellite imagery of land cover, weather station data, Land use data. This data can be accessed from multiple domains encouraging research across disciplines.6. NASA Reverb
Just like NOAA Class, it requires a little patience to navigate NASA Reverb. However, NASA’s Reverb Data Hub is simply the best choice for satellite Data. NASA Reverb communicates with a plethora of satellites such as NASA DC, GPS satellites, SMAP, JASON, METEOSAT, ALOS, TRMM, Aura, Aqua and much more.This Tutorial will help you gain easy access to NASA Reverb Hub.
7. Earth Observation Link (EOLi)
Though this satellite image data source is quite tardy and sluggish as it has become old-fashioned, it is however made easily accessible as users can download the JAVA application on their PC. Despite its slowness one can access Earth Observation Data from a number of sources such as ALOS, SPOT, IRS, IKONOS, Envisat, ERS to mention but a few.The Earth Observation Link (EOLi) is the European Space Agency’s client for Earth Observation Catalog and Ordering Services.
In practice, just select intended search from fewer satellite collections, say 10. Select “Search catalog” and click Append. Thereafter you download and order.
8. National Institute for Space Research (INPE)
INPE Image Catalogue is combined satellite image source from Brazil and China which lets you download free satellite imagery data from their remote image catalog. In addition to their own Earth Resources (CBERS-2, CBERS-2b), they also tap into satellites of United States, United Kingdom as well as the Indian (Landsat, CBERS, Aqua, S-NPP) satellites.The access to this satellite imagery source is however restricted to on only users from South America and Africa. All you need do is to translate to a language of choice, create an account, select satellite and sensor, add to your cart and click “Go Ahead” to download.
9. JAXA’s Global ALOS 3D World
The ALOS 3D world was invented by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA), It is a 30-meter spatial resolution digital surface model (DSM) recently released for public access. Its great precision in global-scale elevation data using the Advanced Land Observing Satellite “DAICHI” (ALOS) – PALSAR’s L-band makes it very unique.One has to register online through the JAXA Global ALOS link in order to access this valuable and reliable DSM for download.
10. NOAA Data Access Viewer
At NOAA Data Access Viewer you cannot only find and download definitive datasets, you are also given the flexibility to customize it, all free. However, downloads from this source formerly known as NOAA Aerial Photo Ordering System are rather dull and slow.
Reference:
- http://monde-geospatial.com/20-free-satellite-imagery-data-sources/11/
0 comments:
Post a Comment