ASTER Satellite Radiance Data with Terrain Correction

ASTER Level 1T data provides calibrated at-sensor radiance from the Terra satellite's Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer instrument. The dataset contains up to 14 spectral bands across visible, shortwave, and thermal infrared wavelengths, with spatial resolutions of 15, 30, and 90 meters. Data is geometrically corrected using GLS2000 elevation data and ground control points, produced by NASA, though sources conflict on its active status.

Use Cases

• Land surface temperature analysis using the five Thermal Infrared (TIR) bands.
• Mineral and lithological mapping leveraging the six Shortwave Infrared (SWIR) bands.
• High-resolution land cover classification with the three Visible and Near Infrared (VNIR) bands at 15m resolution.
• Topographic correction validation using the provided ground control points (GCPs) and quality assessment files.
• Change detection studies using geometrically corrected, north-up UTM projected scenes.

Strengths

• Provides multi-spectral data across 14 bands with varying spatial resolutions (15m VNIR, 30m SWIR, 90m TIR).
• Incorporates precision terrain correction using GLS2000 digital elevation data and derived ground control points for topographic accuracy.
• Includes independent quality assessment files and georeferenced browse images for daytime scenes where precision correction was attempted.

Limitations

• Sources conflict on dataset status: Data.gov lists an update in March 2026, while NASA Earthdata states the product was decommissioned in December 2025.
• The aft-looking VNIR band 3 is not included in this product.
• Precision terrain correction is not guaranteed for night scenes or images with high cloud cover, which may receive alternate correction levels.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Created from a single resampling of the ASTER Level 1A product, calibrated to at-sensor radiance (Level 1B), then geometrically corrected and projected.

Time Range

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Freshness

2026-03-13 14:21:54.932048

Geography

Global coverage from the Terra satellite's ASTER instrument.