How to Access Remote Sensing Data Using EarthExplorer

Transcription

1 How to Access Remote Sensing Data Using EarthExplorer EarthExplorer is the most-used tool to access remote sensing data at the (USGS) Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. Follow the tabs There are four tabs across the top of the side menu in EarthExplorer. Each one pertains to a different aspect of the search. 1. Enter Search Criteria The Search Criteria tab gives options to modify an area of interest, a period of time, or both. Search by address, place name, and coordinates as well as by browsing the map in the viewer window and selecting the Use Map button to highlight the region appearing on the screen. Tip: When entering dates, make sure to use the MM/DD/YYYY format. If you are looking for years, try entering 01/01/YYYY to 12/31/YYYY. Department of the Interior p. 1 Last Updated June 16, 2017

2 2. Select Your Data Set(s) Select a data set to search after setting up the search criteria. Popular data categories include Aerial Imagery and the Landsat Archive. The Data Sets tab is filled with over a hundred different data sets. Learn more about each data set by clicking on the information (i) button next to the checkbox. Check the coverage area by clicking on the coverage [] button next to the information (i) button. Tip: Check as few or as many data sets as necessary. An option on the Results tab allows users to switch between the originally selected data sets. Department of the Interior p. 2 Last Updated June 16, 2017

3 3. Additional Criteria The query can be modified to include specific attributes to the data. Popularly used are the Cloud Cover and the sensor fields. This tab can also help to conduct a reverse search for data that has already been downloaded by taking the scene ID from the filename. Tip: The black headings for each field link to the data dictionary, which helps to define the information that fits in each box. Department of the Interior p. 3 Last Updated June 16, 2017

4 4. Results Results are organized by data set. Navigate through each selected data set by using the drop down menu above the results. Use the diagonal black arrow to export your results as a *.csv file that will open in a spreadsheet to display metadata about each scene. The non-limited results for the Export Type will export all of the results, while the current results will display the 10 scenes currently viewable in the window. Other options are available. Department of the Interior p. 4 Last Updated June 16, 2017

5 Bulk Download Application The Bulk Download Application is available at: The application works with the EarthExplorer website. Notice that the brown box with the yellow arrow corresponds with an option next to a scene on the results tab. Multiple scenes can be selected this way and added to a bulk order. The login credentials are the same as the EarthExplorer s EROS Registration System (ERS) credentials. Department of the Interior p. 5 Last Updated June 16, 2017

6 Sample Query 1: Jefferson memorial 1. On the Search Criteria tab, type Thomas Jefferson Memorial under Address/Place and click Show. The search will return 701 E Basin Dr SW, Washington, DC 20242, USA. Click on the linked address to put a flag on the map. 2. Jump down to the Date Range box and find imagery for (Hint: Use 01/01/2016 to 12/31/2016) 3. On the Data Sets tab, expand the heading for Landsat Archive. Expand the Collection 1 Level-1 subheading. Select L8 OLI/TIRS C1 Level-1 for your dataset. 4. On the Additional Criteria tab, find Scene Cloud Cover and select Less than 10%. Find Collection Category and click on Tier Click on the Results tab. Next to the first available image result, click the Show Footprint button to add a transparent overlay of the scene extent. Click it again to turn it off. Click Show Browse Overlay to preview the image result over the basemap. Click it again to turn it off. 6. Expand the Show Results Menu and click Add All Results from Current Page to Bulk Download. 7. Click on the Item Basket and Proceed to Checkout >>. On the next screen, click Submit Order. 8. Sign into the Bulk Download Application. Right-click on the order that appears and click Delete Order. Sample Query 2: Davison County, South Dakota 1. On the Search Criteria tab, skip the first box. On the second box, click the tab for Predefined Area. It will say No shape loaded. Click Add Shape. On the window that pops up, select South Dakota for state, County for area type, and Davison County for Area. Click Add. The map will automatically jump to the simplified polygon for that county. 2. Under Date Range, open the drop down menu for Search months and uncheck the (all) option. Select the months June, July, and August. 3. On the Data Sets tab, expand the heading for Landsat Archive. Expand the Collection 1 Level-1 subheading. Select L8 OLI/TIRS C1 Level-1, L7 ETM+ C1 Level-1 and L4-5 TM C1 Level-1 for your datasets. 4. Skip the Additional Criteria Tab. 5. Click the on Results Tab. 6. Open the drop-down menu under the Data Set heading. Select L7 ETM+ C1 Level-1. Repeat and select L4-5 TM C1 Level Click on the Download Options button next to the first result option. Examine the different products available for it. Sample Query 3: U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center 1. On the Search Criteria tab, skip the first box. On the second box under Coordinates, switch to Decimal and click Add Coordinate. For Latitude, use For Longitude, use On the Data Sets tab, expand the heading for Digital Elevation. Select LiDAR. 3. Skip the Additional Criteria tab. 4. Click Results. 5. Click on the Download Options button next to the first result option. Examine the different products available for it. Department of the Interior p. 6 Last Updated June 16, 2017