ASTER L1T V3.1: Precision Terrain Corrected Satellite Radiance

ASTER Level 1T Version 3.1 data provides calibrated, geometrically corrected at-sensor radiance from the Terra satellite's multispectral instrument. Its precision terrain correction uses GLS2000 elevation data and ground control points to achieve topographic accuracy for daytime scenes. The dataset includes up to 14 spectral bands across visible, shortwave, and thermal infrared wavelengths at spatial resolutions of 15, 30, and 90 meters.

Use Cases

• Land cover classification based on multispectral VNIR and SWIR bands.
• Surface temperature and thermal anomaly detection using the five TIR bands.
• Topographic analysis and digital elevation model refinement leveraging the precision terrain correction process.
• Change detection and time-series analysis of calibrated radiance for environmental monitoring.

Strengths

• Provides data at three distinct spatial resolutions: 15m (VNIR), 30m (SWIR), and 90m (TIR).
• Incorporates precision terrain correction using GLS2000 digital elevation data for improved geometric accuracy.
• Applies Radiometric Calibration Coefficients Version 5 (RCC V5) to correct for sensor degradation.

Limitations

• The dataset was officially decommissioned on December 15, 2025, and users are directed to a newer version.
• Metadata completeness is low; specific column names, row counts, and file sizes are not provided.
• The VNIR aft-looking band 3 is not included in this version.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Data is derived from the Terra satellite's ASTER instrument, processed from Level 1A to calibrated, terrain-corrected Level 1T radiance.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 on datagov, but decommissioned 2025-12-15.

Geography

Global coverage from the Terra satellite's orbit.