Matt Hansen talks about the value of Landsat data as an infrastructure for research and innovation.
Why do Landsat scenes in the Southern Hemisphere display negative UTM values?
Traditional Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) convention distinguishes between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. In the Northern Hemisphere, the UTM zone is a positive value or identified as UTM North. In the Southern Hemisphere, the UTM zone is a negative value or identified as UTM South. UTM North scenes in this convention have a false northing value of 0, while UTM South scenes have a false northing of 10,000,000. This false northing value effectively shifts the negative projection Y coordinates to a positive value.
Landsat Level-1 data products are processed to a northern (positive) Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) projection zone, regardless of whether the scene is in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere. Because of this, any scene in the Southern Hemisphere will have a negative projection Y coordinate. Processing all Landsat scenes to the northern zone helps correct a discontinuity when scenes are being mosaicked.
The scenes will display correctly in most (if not all) popular imaging software packages; however, simply negating the UTM zone or reassigning the UTM North to UTM South will cause the projection coordinates to be inaccurate. If the UTM zone is switched to a southern zone for a Southern Hemisphere scene, then the projection Y values must also be adjusted by a value of 10,000,000. This will ensure any coordinate transformations are handled correctly.
Related Content
After a Landsat scene is collected, when will it become available for search and download?
Landsat scenes directly downlinked to the USGS EROS Landsat Ground Station become available through EarthExplorer within 6 hours after acquisition, and then become visible in GloVis and the LandsatLook Viewe r within 24 hours. Scenes downlinked to other USGS Ground Stations can be available within 1 to 2 weeks. Scenes downlinked to International Ground Stations may become available in the USGS...
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 is the Landsat satellite program and why is it important?
The Landsat Program is a series of Earth-observing satellite missions jointly managed by NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey. On July 23, 1972, in cooperation with NASA, the Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS-1) was launched. It was later renamed Landsat 1. Additional Landsat satellites have launched to bring the world an archive of remote sensing data. Currently orbiting and active...
What is the Worldwide Reference System (WRS)?
The Worldwide Reference System (WRS) is a global system that catalogs Landsat data by Path and Row numbers. Landsat satellites 1, 2 and 3 followed WRS-1, and Landsat satellites 4,5,7, 8, and 9 follow WRS-2. Learn more: Landsat Path Row Shapefiles and KML Files The Worldwide Reference System (NASA)
What does the term UTM mean? Is UTM better or more accurate than latitude/longitude?
UTM is the acronym for Universal Transverse Mercator, a plane coordinate grid system named for the map projection on which it is based (Transverse Mercator). The UTM system consists of 60 zones, each 6-degrees of longitude in width. The zones are numbered 1-60, beginning at 180-degrees longitude and increasing to the east. The military uses their own implementation of the UTM system, called the...
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
What are the processing levels for Landsat Level-1 data?
The table below shows the Landsat Collections Level-1 processing levels: Landsat Level-1 Processing Levels Processing Level Description Terrain Precision Correction (L1TP) Radiometrically calibrated and orthorectified using ground control points (GCPs) and digital elevation model (DEM) data to correct for relief displacement.The highest quality Level-1 products suitable for pixel-level time series...
How is the C Function of Mask algorithm used with Landsat Level-1 data?
The C Function of Mask (CFMask) algorithm populates cloud, cloud confidence, cloud shadow, and snow/ice pixels in the processing of Landsat Collections Level-1 data products, with the results represented as bit-mapped values within the Landsat Collection 1 Level-1 Quality Assessment (QA) Band . CFMask derives from the Function of Mask (FMask), an algorithm written in MATLAB at Boston University...
What are the acquisition schedules for the Landsat satellites?
The Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 satellites orbit the Earth at an altitude of 705 kilometers (438 miles) in a 185-kilometer (115-mile) swath, moving from north to south over the sunlit side of the Earth in a sun synchronous orbit, following the Worldwide Reference System (WRS-2) . Each satellite makes a complete orbit every 99 minutes, completes about 14 full orbits each day, and crosses every point on...
Landsat in Action - Infrastructure of Landsat Data with Matt Hansen
Matt Hansen talks about the value of Landsat data as an infrastructure for research and innovation.
Landsat's Calibration and Validation
Engineers and scientists from both Landsat and Sentinel missions are working together to calibrate observation data and validate its quality to improve the science using these resources.
Engineers and scientists from both Landsat and Sentinel missions are working together to calibrate observation data and validate its quality to improve the science using these resources.
Landsat in Action — Open Data in Australia with Adam Lewis
Geoscience Australia's Acting Chief Scientist Adam Lewis talks about the value of Landsat data, the importance of free and open policy, and how analysis ready data is advancing earth observing science.
Geoscience Australia's Acting Chief Scientist Adam Lewis talks about the value of Landsat data, the importance of free and open policy, and how analysis ready data is advancing earth observing science.
Landsat In Action - Assessing Global Impact with Alan Belward
Alan Belward from the European Union's Joint Research Center discusses how Landsat helps his team promote sustainable development.
Alan Belward from the European Union's Joint Research Center discusses how Landsat helps his team promote sustainable development.
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 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.
Related Content
- FAQ
After a Landsat scene is collected, when will it become available for search and download?
Landsat scenes directly downlinked to the USGS EROS Landsat Ground Station become available through EarthExplorer within 6 hours after acquisition, and then become visible in GloVis and the LandsatLook Viewe r within 24 hours. Scenes downlinked to other USGS Ground Stations can be available within 1 to 2 weeks. Scenes downlinked to International Ground Stations may become available in the USGS...
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 is the Landsat satellite program and why is it important?
The Landsat Program is a series of Earth-observing satellite missions jointly managed by NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey. On July 23, 1972, in cooperation with NASA, the Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS-1) was launched. It was later renamed Landsat 1. Additional Landsat satellites have launched to bring the world an archive of remote sensing data. Currently orbiting and active...
What is the Worldwide Reference System (WRS)?
The Worldwide Reference System (WRS) is a global system that catalogs Landsat data by Path and Row numbers. Landsat satellites 1, 2 and 3 followed WRS-1, and Landsat satellites 4,5,7, 8, and 9 follow WRS-2. Learn more: Landsat Path Row Shapefiles and KML Files The Worldwide Reference System (NASA)
What does the term UTM mean? Is UTM better or more accurate than latitude/longitude?
UTM is the acronym for Universal Transverse Mercator, a plane coordinate grid system named for the map projection on which it is based (Transverse Mercator). The UTM system consists of 60 zones, each 6-degrees of longitude in width. The zones are numbered 1-60, beginning at 180-degrees longitude and increasing to the east. The military uses their own implementation of the UTM system, called the...
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
What are the processing levels for Landsat Level-1 data?
The table below shows the Landsat Collections Level-1 processing levels: Landsat Level-1 Processing Levels Processing Level Description Terrain Precision Correction (L1TP) Radiometrically calibrated and orthorectified using ground control points (GCPs) and digital elevation model (DEM) data to correct for relief displacement.The highest quality Level-1 products suitable for pixel-level time series...
How is the C Function of Mask algorithm used with Landsat Level-1 data?
The C Function of Mask (CFMask) algorithm populates cloud, cloud confidence, cloud shadow, and snow/ice pixels in the processing of Landsat Collections Level-1 data products, with the results represented as bit-mapped values within the Landsat Collection 1 Level-1 Quality Assessment (QA) Band . CFMask derives from the Function of Mask (FMask), an algorithm written in MATLAB at Boston University...
What are the acquisition schedules for the Landsat satellites?
The Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 satellites orbit the Earth at an altitude of 705 kilometers (438 miles) in a 185-kilometer (115-mile) swath, moving from north to south over the sunlit side of the Earth in a sun synchronous orbit, following the Worldwide Reference System (WRS-2) . Each satellite makes a complete orbit every 99 minutes, completes about 14 full orbits each day, and crosses every point on...
- Multimedia
Landsat in Action - Infrastructure of Landsat Data with Matt Hansen
Matt Hansen talks about the value of Landsat data as an infrastructure for research and innovation.
Matt Hansen talks about the value of Landsat data as an infrastructure for research and innovation.
Landsat's Calibration and ValidationEngineers and scientists from both Landsat and Sentinel missions are working together to calibrate observation data and validate its quality to improve the science using these resources.
Engineers and scientists from both Landsat and Sentinel missions are working together to calibrate observation data and validate its quality to improve the science using these resources.
Landsat in Action — Open Data in Australia with Adam LewisGeoscience Australia's Acting Chief Scientist Adam Lewis talks about the value of Landsat data, the importance of free and open policy, and how analysis ready data is advancing earth observing science.
Geoscience Australia's Acting Chief Scientist Adam Lewis talks about the value of Landsat data, the importance of free and open policy, and how analysis ready data is advancing earth observing science.
Landsat In Action - Assessing Global Impact with Alan BelwardAlan Belward from the European Union's Joint Research Center discusses how Landsat helps his team promote sustainable development.
Alan Belward from the European Union's Joint Research Center discusses how Landsat helps his team promote sustainable development.
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 Swath AnimationThe 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.
- Publications
- News