This image of the Van Diemen Gulf was acquired by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) onboard the Landsat 8 satellite on November 18, 2023.
How is the Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 Coastal/Aerosol Band 1 used?
The Operational Land Imager Band 1 (0.433-0.453 µm) on Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 is useful for imaging shallow water and tracking fine atmospheric particles like dust and smoke.
Band 1 reflects blues and violets, where light is scattered by dust, smoke, and water particles in the air. Collecting data with enough sensitivity at this spectrum is difficult. Since water absorbs and scatters light, oceans and lakes tend to look dark or lack detail on satellite images. This is especially true in the sediment-laden waters near coastlines, where subtle differences in the color of intensity can indicate what is mixed in the water. Scientists have used the coastal band to monitor chlorophyll concentrations and suspended sediments in the water, as well as phytoplankton and algae blooms.
Learn more:
Media
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Related
How is the Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 Cirrus Band 9 used? How is the Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 Cirrus Band 9 used?
The Operational Land Imager’s Band 9 1.360-1.390 µm on Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 detects thin, high-altitude clouds composed of ice crystals that might not be visible in other spectral bands. In Band 9, cirrus clouds appear bright while most land surfaces appear dark through an otherwise cloud-free atmosphere containing water vapor. Learn more: Landsat 8 Mission Landsat 9 Mission Landsat 8 & 9 bands...
What are the best Landsat spectral bands for use in my research? What are the best Landsat spectral bands for use in my research?
The Spectral Characteristics Viewer is an interactive tool that can be used to visualize how the bands, or channels, of different satellite sensors measure the intensity of the many wavelengths (colors) of light. This is also known as the relative spectral response (RSR). By overlaying the spectral curves from different features (spectra), one can determine which bands of the selected sensor will...
Are there any restrictions on the use or redistribution of Landsat data? Are there any restrictions on the use or redistribution of Landsat data?
There are no restrictions on Landsat data downloaded from the USGS; it can be used or redistributed as desired. We do request that you include a statement of the data source when citing, copying, or reprinting USGS Landsat data or images. Details are on the EROS Data Citation page. Learn more: USGS Copyrights and Credits statement
What are the band designations for the Landsat satellites? What are the band designations for the Landsat satellites?
The sensors onboard each of the Landsat satellites were designed to acquire data in different wavelengths within the electromagnetic spectrum. View Bandpass Wavelengths for all Landsat Sensors The Multispectral Scanner (MSS) carried on Landsat 1,2,3,4 and 5 collected data in four ranges (bands); the Thematic Mapper (TM) sensor on Landsat 4 and Landsat 5 included those bands found on earlier...
Does Landsat Level-1 data processing include atmospheric correction? Does Landsat Level-1 data processing include atmospheric correction?
Landsat Level-1 data are not corrected for atmospheric conditions; however, Landsat Science Products are atmospherically corrected. Learn more: L andsat Level-1 data Landsat U.S. Analysis Ready Data Landsat Level-2 and Level-3 Science Products Landsat Data Access
How is the percentage of cloud cover calculated in a Landsat scene? How is the percentage of cloud cover calculated in a Landsat scene?
The C Function of Mask (CFMask) algorithm is used in Landsat Collection 1 Level-1 data processing. This algorithm provides a full-image “Scene Cloud Cover” estimation of the percentage of cloud cover calculated over an entire Landsat scene. Land Cloud Cover, which is also included, is determined by calculating the percentage of clouds over land-only pixels in a scene using a mask that...
What Landsat products are available? What Landsat products are available?
There are several Landsat Collection 2 products that are useful for science applications and land use/land change studies: Landsat Level-1 Products - Each Level-1 product includes individual spectral band files, a metadata file, and additional ancillary files. Level-1 products are available for all global landmasses. Landsat U.S. Analysis Ready Data (ARD) - U.S. ARD uses Landsat Level-1 data as...
Landsat 8 Image of Van Diemen Gulf
This image of the Van Diemen Gulf was acquired by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) onboard the Landsat 8 satellite on November 18, 2023.
Landsat 8 Image of Sacramento Valley on Jan 22, 2023
Landsat 8 Image of Sacramento Valley on Jan 22, 2023This natural color Landsat 8 image of the Sacramento Valley area shows the impacts of the relentless rains that impacted the area during the end of December and into the New Year. Turbid river water, saturated fields, and rising reservoirs can be seen near Stockton and Sacramento.
Landsat 8 Image of Sacramento Valley on Jan 22, 2023
Landsat 8 Image of Sacramento Valley on Jan 22, 2023This natural color Landsat 8 image of the Sacramento Valley area shows the impacts of the relentless rains that impacted the area during the end of December and into the New Year. Turbid river water, saturated fields, and rising reservoirs can be seen near Stockton and Sacramento.
Landsat 8 image of Karymsky volcano, April 20, 2022
Landsat 8 image of Karymsky volcano, April 20, 2022Karymsky volcano, one of the most active volcanoes of Kamchatka's eastern volcanic zone, erupted on April 20, 2022. This pan-sharpened Landsat 8 image captured the event. Overlaying the infrared data over the natural color image highlights the heat signature of the active flows.
Landsat ID: LC08_L1TP_098022_20220420_20220420_02_RT
Landsat 8 image of Karymsky volcano, April 20, 2022
Landsat 8 image of Karymsky volcano, April 20, 2022Karymsky volcano, one of the most active volcanoes of Kamchatka's eastern volcanic zone, erupted on April 20, 2022. This pan-sharpened Landsat 8 image captured the event. Overlaying the infrared data over the natural color image highlights the heat signature of the active flows.
Landsat ID: LC08_L1TP_098022_20220420_20220420_02_RT
Landsat 8 Image of Lake St. Clair
Landsat captured the tug of war between winter and spring on the heart-shaped Lake St. Clair along the U.S./Canadian border near Detroit.
This Landsat 8 image was acquired on March 6, 2021 and is shown as a natural color composite.
Learn more about the Landsat program at www.usgs.gov/landsat
Landsat captured the tug of war between winter and spring on the heart-shaped Lake St. Clair along the U.S./Canadian border near Detroit.
This Landsat 8 image was acquired on March 6, 2021 and is shown as a natural color composite.
Learn more about the Landsat program at www.usgs.gov/landsat
Landsat 8 image Icy Vortex
This Landsat 8 image "Ice Vortex" is one of many beautiful images in the Earth as Art collections.
Visit https://eros.usgs.gov/media-gallery/earth-as-art to see more.
This Landsat 8 image "Ice Vortex" is one of many beautiful images in the Earth as Art collections.
Visit https://eros.usgs.gov/media-gallery/earth-as-art to see more.
Landsat in Action - Water Use with Molly Maupin and Gabriel Senay
Landsat in Action - Water Use with Molly Maupin and Gabriel SenayUSGS Hydrologist Molly Maupin and USGS Research Physical Scientist Gabriel Senay discuss how Landsat imagery has been used by the National Water Census and in studying water use trends.
Landsat in Action - Water Use with Molly Maupin and Gabriel Senay
Landsat in Action - Water Use with Molly Maupin and Gabriel SenayUSGS Hydrologist Molly Maupin and USGS Research Physical Scientist Gabriel Senay discuss how Landsat imagery has been used by the National Water Census and in studying water use trends.
Landsat in Action - Minnesota Lakes with Leif Olmanson
Landsat in Action - Minnesota Lakes with Leif OlmansonLeif Olmanson from the University of Minnesota talks about the value of Landsat data in monitoring the thousands of lakes in Minnesota.
Landsat in Action - Minnesota Lakes with Leif Olmanson
Landsat in Action - Minnesota Lakes with Leif OlmansonLeif Olmanson from the University of Minnesota talks about the value of Landsat data in monitoring the thousands of lakes in Minnesota.
Landsat Collections
Landsat Collections: Providing a Stable Environmental Record for Time Series Analysis
Landsat Collections: Providing a Stable Environmental Record for Time Series Analysis
Landsat Collections — What are Tiers?
This is the third video in a series describing the new U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Collection 1 inventory structure. Collection 1 required the reprocessing of all archived Landsat data to achieve radiometric and geometric consistency of Level-1 products through time and across all Landsat sensors.
This is the third video in a series describing the new U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Collection 1 inventory structure. Collection 1 required the reprocessing of all archived Landsat data to achieve radiometric and geometric consistency of Level-1 products through time and across all Landsat sensors.
Landsat 8 reveals algal bloom off Brazil's coast near Sao Paulo, 2017
Landsat 8 reveals algal bloom off Brazil's coast near Sao Paulo, 2017In early September 2017, Landsat 8 captured this image of what looked like an oil spill off the coast of Brazil, near Sao Paulo. The "oil" turned out to be a vast algal bloom that covered more than 100 km. This bloom was the result of a species of tiny dinoflagellate that multiplied quickly to produce astronomical numbers -- enough to color the ocean water.
Landsat 8 reveals algal bloom off Brazil's coast near Sao Paulo, 2017
Landsat 8 reveals algal bloom off Brazil's coast near Sao Paulo, 2017In early September 2017, Landsat 8 captured this image of what looked like an oil spill off the coast of Brazil, near Sao Paulo. The "oil" turned out to be a vast algal bloom that covered more than 100 km. This bloom was the result of a species of tiny dinoflagellate that multiplied quickly to produce astronomical numbers -- enough to color the ocean water.
Landsat 8 Swath Animation
The Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center has created a video animation describing how Landsat 8 orbits the Earth. The video explains the 16-day cycle for capturing imagery of the entire world.
The Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center has created a video animation describing how Landsat 8 orbits the Earth. The video explains the 16-day cycle for capturing imagery of the entire world.
Boulder, Colorado - Landsat 8
Landsat 8’s first image captured the area where the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains meet in Colorado in March 2013. The natural-color image shows the coniferous forest of the mountains coming down to the dormant plains. Boulder, Colorado, sits in the middle of the image.
Landsat 8’s first image captured the area where the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains meet in Colorado in March 2013. The natural-color image shows the coniferous forest of the mountains coming down to the dormant plains. Boulder, Colorado, sits in the middle of the image.
2013 - Landsat 8 Launch Spacecraft 3
Launch of Landsat 8 on Feb. 11, 2013.
Launch of Landsat 8 on Feb. 11, 2013.
Related
How is the Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 Cirrus Band 9 used? How is the Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 Cirrus Band 9 used?
The Operational Land Imager’s Band 9 1.360-1.390 µm on Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 detects thin, high-altitude clouds composed of ice crystals that might not be visible in other spectral bands. In Band 9, cirrus clouds appear bright while most land surfaces appear dark through an otherwise cloud-free atmosphere containing water vapor. Learn more: Landsat 8 Mission Landsat 9 Mission Landsat 8 & 9 bands...
What are the best Landsat spectral bands for use in my research? What are the best Landsat spectral bands for use in my research?
The Spectral Characteristics Viewer is an interactive tool that can be used to visualize how the bands, or channels, of different satellite sensors measure the intensity of the many wavelengths (colors) of light. This is also known as the relative spectral response (RSR). By overlaying the spectral curves from different features (spectra), one can determine which bands of the selected sensor will...
Are there any restrictions on the use or redistribution of Landsat data? Are there any restrictions on the use or redistribution of Landsat data?
There are no restrictions on Landsat data downloaded from the USGS; it can be used or redistributed as desired. We do request that you include a statement of the data source when citing, copying, or reprinting USGS Landsat data or images. Details are on the EROS Data Citation page. Learn more: USGS Copyrights and Credits statement
What are the band designations for the Landsat satellites? What are the band designations for the Landsat satellites?
The sensors onboard each of the Landsat satellites were designed to acquire data in different wavelengths within the electromagnetic spectrum. View Bandpass Wavelengths for all Landsat Sensors The Multispectral Scanner (MSS) carried on Landsat 1,2,3,4 and 5 collected data in four ranges (bands); the Thematic Mapper (TM) sensor on Landsat 4 and Landsat 5 included those bands found on earlier...
Does Landsat Level-1 data processing include atmospheric correction? Does Landsat Level-1 data processing include atmospheric correction?
Landsat Level-1 data are not corrected for atmospheric conditions; however, Landsat Science Products are atmospherically corrected. Learn more: L andsat Level-1 data Landsat U.S. Analysis Ready Data Landsat Level-2 and Level-3 Science Products Landsat Data Access
How is the percentage of cloud cover calculated in a Landsat scene? How is the percentage of cloud cover calculated in a Landsat scene?
The C Function of Mask (CFMask) algorithm is used in Landsat Collection 1 Level-1 data processing. This algorithm provides a full-image “Scene Cloud Cover” estimation of the percentage of cloud cover calculated over an entire Landsat scene. Land Cloud Cover, which is also included, is determined by calculating the percentage of clouds over land-only pixels in a scene using a mask that...
What Landsat products are available? What Landsat products are available?
There are several Landsat Collection 2 products that are useful for science applications and land use/land change studies: Landsat Level-1 Products - Each Level-1 product includes individual spectral band files, a metadata file, and additional ancillary files. Level-1 products are available for all global landmasses. Landsat U.S. Analysis Ready Data (ARD) - U.S. ARD uses Landsat Level-1 data as...
Landsat 8 Image of Van Diemen Gulf
This image of the Van Diemen Gulf was acquired by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) onboard the Landsat 8 satellite on November 18, 2023.
This image of the Van Diemen Gulf was acquired by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) onboard the Landsat 8 satellite on November 18, 2023.
Landsat 8 Image of Sacramento Valley on Jan 22, 2023
Landsat 8 Image of Sacramento Valley on Jan 22, 2023This natural color Landsat 8 image of the Sacramento Valley area shows the impacts of the relentless rains that impacted the area during the end of December and into the New Year. Turbid river water, saturated fields, and rising reservoirs can be seen near Stockton and Sacramento.
Landsat 8 Image of Sacramento Valley on Jan 22, 2023
Landsat 8 Image of Sacramento Valley on Jan 22, 2023This natural color Landsat 8 image of the Sacramento Valley area shows the impacts of the relentless rains that impacted the area during the end of December and into the New Year. Turbid river water, saturated fields, and rising reservoirs can be seen near Stockton and Sacramento.
Landsat 8 image of Karymsky volcano, April 20, 2022
Landsat 8 image of Karymsky volcano, April 20, 2022Karymsky volcano, one of the most active volcanoes of Kamchatka's eastern volcanic zone, erupted on April 20, 2022. This pan-sharpened Landsat 8 image captured the event. Overlaying the infrared data over the natural color image highlights the heat signature of the active flows.
Landsat ID: LC08_L1TP_098022_20220420_20220420_02_RT
Landsat 8 image of Karymsky volcano, April 20, 2022
Landsat 8 image of Karymsky volcano, April 20, 2022Karymsky volcano, one of the most active volcanoes of Kamchatka's eastern volcanic zone, erupted on April 20, 2022. This pan-sharpened Landsat 8 image captured the event. Overlaying the infrared data over the natural color image highlights the heat signature of the active flows.
Landsat ID: LC08_L1TP_098022_20220420_20220420_02_RT
Landsat 8 Image of Lake St. Clair
Landsat captured the tug of war between winter and spring on the heart-shaped Lake St. Clair along the U.S./Canadian border near Detroit.
This Landsat 8 image was acquired on March 6, 2021 and is shown as a natural color composite.
Learn more about the Landsat program at www.usgs.gov/landsat
Landsat captured the tug of war between winter and spring on the heart-shaped Lake St. Clair along the U.S./Canadian border near Detroit.
This Landsat 8 image was acquired on March 6, 2021 and is shown as a natural color composite.
Learn more about the Landsat program at www.usgs.gov/landsat
Landsat 8 image Icy Vortex
This Landsat 8 image "Ice Vortex" is one of many beautiful images in the Earth as Art collections.
Visit https://eros.usgs.gov/media-gallery/earth-as-art to see more.
This Landsat 8 image "Ice Vortex" is one of many beautiful images in the Earth as Art collections.
Visit https://eros.usgs.gov/media-gallery/earth-as-art to see more.
Landsat in Action - Water Use with Molly Maupin and Gabriel Senay
Landsat in Action - Water Use with Molly Maupin and Gabriel SenayUSGS Hydrologist Molly Maupin and USGS Research Physical Scientist Gabriel Senay discuss how Landsat imagery has been used by the National Water Census and in studying water use trends.
Landsat in Action - Water Use with Molly Maupin and Gabriel Senay
Landsat in Action - Water Use with Molly Maupin and Gabriel SenayUSGS Hydrologist Molly Maupin and USGS Research Physical Scientist Gabriel Senay discuss how Landsat imagery has been used by the National Water Census and in studying water use trends.
Landsat in Action - Minnesota Lakes with Leif Olmanson
Landsat in Action - Minnesota Lakes with Leif OlmansonLeif Olmanson from the University of Minnesota talks about the value of Landsat data in monitoring the thousands of lakes in Minnesota.
Landsat in Action - Minnesota Lakes with Leif Olmanson
Landsat in Action - Minnesota Lakes with Leif OlmansonLeif Olmanson from the University of Minnesota talks about the value of Landsat data in monitoring the thousands of lakes in Minnesota.
Landsat Collections
Landsat Collections: Providing a Stable Environmental Record for Time Series Analysis
Landsat Collections: Providing a Stable Environmental Record for Time Series Analysis
Landsat Collections — What are Tiers?
This is the third video in a series describing the new U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Collection 1 inventory structure. Collection 1 required the reprocessing of all archived Landsat data to achieve radiometric and geometric consistency of Level-1 products through time and across all Landsat sensors.
This is the third video in a series describing the new U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landsat Collection 1 inventory structure. Collection 1 required the reprocessing of all archived Landsat data to achieve radiometric and geometric consistency of Level-1 products through time and across all Landsat sensors.
Landsat 8 reveals algal bloom off Brazil's coast near Sao Paulo, 2017
Landsat 8 reveals algal bloom off Brazil's coast near Sao Paulo, 2017In early September 2017, Landsat 8 captured this image of what looked like an oil spill off the coast of Brazil, near Sao Paulo. The "oil" turned out to be a vast algal bloom that covered more than 100 km. This bloom was the result of a species of tiny dinoflagellate that multiplied quickly to produce astronomical numbers -- enough to color the ocean water.
Landsat 8 reveals algal bloom off Brazil's coast near Sao Paulo, 2017
Landsat 8 reveals algal bloom off Brazil's coast near Sao Paulo, 2017In early September 2017, Landsat 8 captured this image of what looked like an oil spill off the coast of Brazil, near Sao Paulo. The "oil" turned out to be a vast algal bloom that covered more than 100 km. This bloom was the result of a species of tiny dinoflagellate that multiplied quickly to produce astronomical numbers -- enough to color the ocean water.
Landsat 8 Swath Animation
The Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center has created a video animation describing how Landsat 8 orbits the Earth. The video explains the 16-day cycle for capturing imagery of the entire world.
The Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center has created a video animation describing how Landsat 8 orbits the Earth. The video explains the 16-day cycle for capturing imagery of the entire world.
Boulder, Colorado - Landsat 8
Landsat 8’s first image captured the area where the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains meet in Colorado in March 2013. The natural-color image shows the coniferous forest of the mountains coming down to the dormant plains. Boulder, Colorado, sits in the middle of the image.
Landsat 8’s first image captured the area where the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains meet in Colorado in March 2013. The natural-color image shows the coniferous forest of the mountains coming down to the dormant plains. Boulder, Colorado, sits in the middle of the image.
2013 - Landsat 8 Launch Spacecraft 3
Launch of Landsat 8 on Feb. 11, 2013.
Launch of Landsat 8 on Feb. 11, 2013.
Updated Date: February 13, 2025