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Landsat Collection 2 Surface Reflectance

Landsat Collection 2 Surface Reflectance measures the fraction of incoming solar radiation that is reflected from Earth's surface to the Landsat sensor.

Return to Landsat Surface Reflectance Overview

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Example of Landsat Collection 2 Surface Reflectance
Left: Landsat 5 Collection 2 Top of Atmosphere reflectance image (bands 4,3,2) and Right: Landsat 5 Collection 2 atmospherically corrected surface reflectance image for an area over Bremerton, Washington, path 47 row 27 acquired on October 6, 2010.

 

Landsat Level-2 Surface Reflectance Data Citation Information

There are no restrictions on the use of Landsat products. Please cite the appropriate Landsat Level-2 datasets in the following manner: 

Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. (2020). Landsat 8-9 Operational Land Imager / Thermal Infrared Sensor Level-2, Collection 2 [dataset]. U.S. Geological Survey. https://doi.org/10.5066/P9OGBGM6.

Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. (2020). Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus Level-2, Collection 2 [dataset]. U.S. Geological Survey. https://doi.org/10.5066/P9C7I13B.

Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center. (2020). Landsat 4-5 Thematic Mapper Level-2, Collection 2 [dataset]. U.S. Geological Survey. https://doi.org/10.5066/P9IAXOVV.

 

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CEOS ARD Compliance Stamp Logo
Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) Analysis Ready Data (ARD) compliance stamp logo. 

Landsat Level-2 Surface Reflectance 

Surface reflectance improves comparison between multiple images over the same region by accounting for atmospheric effects such as aerosol scattering and thin clouds, which can help in the detection and characterization of Earth surface change. Surface reflectance is generated from Level-1 inputs that meet the <76 degrees Solar Zenith Angle constraint and include the required auxiliary data inputs to generate a scientifically viable product.

Landsat Collection 2 science products are internationally-recognized as Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) Analysis Ready Data (ARD). This certification recognizes satellite data that have been processed to a minimum set of requirements and organized into a structure that allows for immediate analysis with minimum user effort and interoperability both through time and with other datasets. Image used with permission by CEOS.

 

Scaling Factor

To ensure accurate analysis of Landsat Surface Reflectance data, it's essential to apply the appropriate scaling factors to convert digital numbers (DN) to meaningful reflectance values. For Landsat Collection 2 Level-2 Surface Temperature products, the following equation is used:

SR = (DN * 0.0000275) - 0.2

For detailed guidance on applying these scaling factors to Landsat Level-2 science products, please refer to the USGS FAQ page: How do I use a scale factor with Landsat Level-2 science products?

Please note: the fill values and scaling factors in Landsat Collection 2 Level-2 products differ from those in Collection 1.

 

Landsat 8-9 Operational Land Imager (OLI)

Landsat 8-9 OLI Collection 2 Surface Reflectance data are generated using the Land Surface Reflectance Code (LaSRC) (version 1.5.0), which makes use of the coastal aerosol band to perform aerosol inversion tests, uses auxiliary climate data from MODIS or VIIRS CMG, and a unique radiative transfer model (Vermote et al., 2016).

LaSRC hardcodes the view zenith angle to “0”, and the solar zenith and view zenith angles are used for calculations as part of the atmospheric correction. 

The Land Surface Reflectance Code (LaSRC) Product Guide contains details about the LaSRC algorithm and the Surface Reflectance data products created from it. 

 

Landsat 4-5 Thematic Mapper (TM), Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+)

Landsat 4-5 TM and Landsat 7 ETM+ Collection 2 Surface Reflectance are generated using the Landsat Ecosystem Disturbance Adaptive Processing System (LEDAPS) algorithm (version 3.4.0), a specialized software originally developed through a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Making Earth System Data Records for Use in Research Environments (MEaSUREs) grant by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) and the University of Maryland (Masek et al., 2006).

The software applies Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) atmospheric correction routines to Level-1 data products. Water vapor, ozone, atmospheric height, aerosol optical thickness, and digital elevation are input with Landsat data to the Second Simulation of a Satellite Signal in the Solar Spectrum (6S) radiative transfer models to generate top of atmosphere (TOA) reflectance, surface reflectance, TOA brightness temperature, and masks for clouds, cloud shadows, adjacent clouds, land, and water.

The Landsat 4-7 Surface Reflectance Product Guide contains details about the LEDAPS algorithm and the Surface Reflectance data products created from it. 

 

Differences in Surface Reflectance Processing Algorithms

While both the LEDAPS and LaSRC algorithms produce similar SR products, the inputs and methods to do so differ between them.  The table below displays each algorithm.   

ParameterLandsat 4-5, Landsat 7
(LEDAPS)
Landsat 8-9
(LaSRC)
(Original) research grantNASA GSFC, MEaSUREs (Masek)NASA GSFC (Vermote)
Global CoverageYesYes
TOA ReflectanceVisible (Bands 1–5,7)Visible (Bands 1–7, 9 OLI)
TOA Brightness TemperatureThermal (Band 6)Thermal (Bands 10 & 11 TIRS)
SRVisible (Bands 1-5, Band 7)Visible (Bandsat 1-7) (OLI only)
Thermal bands used in Surface Reflectance processing? Yes
(Brightness temperature Band 6 is used in cloud estimation)
No
Radiative transfer model6SInternal algorithm
Thermal correction levelTOA onlyTOA only
Thermal band unitsKelvinKelvin
PressureNCEP GridSurface pressure is calculated internally based on the elevation
Water vaporNCEP GridMODIS CMA
Air temperatureNCEP GridNot Used
DEMETOPO5 (CMGDEM)ETOPO5 (CMGDEM)
OzoneOMI/TOMSMODIS CMG Coarse resolution ozone
AOTCorrelation between chlorophyll absorption
and bound water absorption of scene
Internal algorithm
Sun angleScene center from input metadataScene center from input metadata
View zenith angleFrom input metadataHard-coded to "0"
Undesirable zenith angle correctionSR not processed when solar zenith angle
> 76 degrees
SR not processed when solar zenith angle > 76 degrees
Pan band processed?NoNo
XML metadata? YesYes
Top of Atmosphere
Brightness Temperature calculated
Yes (Band 6 TM/ETM+)Yes (Band 10 & 11 TIRS)
Cloud maskCFMask (v3.3.1)CFMask (v3.3.1)
Data formatINT16INT16
Fill values00
QA bandsCloud
Adjacent cloud
Cloud shadow
DDV
Fill
Land water
Snow
Atmospheric opacity
Cloud
Adjacent cloud
Cloud shadow
Aerosols
Cirrus
Aerosol Interpolation

6S Second Simulation of a Satellite Signal in the Solar Spectrum, AOT Aerosol Optical Thickness, CFmask C Version of Function Of Mask, CMA Climate Modeling Grid - Aerosol, CMG Climate Modeling Grid, CMGDEM Climate Modeling Grid Digital Elevation Model, DDV Dark Dense Vegetation, DEM Digital Elevation Model, ETM+ Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus, ETOPO5 Earth Topography Five Minute Grid, GSFC Goddard Space Flight Center, INT Integer, MEaSUREs Making Earth Science Data Records for Use in Research Environments, MODIS Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, N/A Not Applicable, NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NCEP National Centers for Environmental Prediction, OLI Operational Land Imager, OMI Ozone Monitoring Instrument, QA Quality Assessment, SR Surface Reflectance, TIRS Thermal Infrared Sensor, TM Thematic Mapper, TOA Top of Atmosphere Reflectance, TOMS Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer, XML Extensible Markup Language

 

Atmospheric Auxiliary Data

Collection 2 surface reflectance products require atmospheric auxiliary data input from external USGS data sources. USGS retrieves data from the data source and extracts parameters specific to Landsat Collection 2 Level-2 processing. These subset data sets are available for download for users who wish to perform Level-2 processing. It is not necessary for users to download atmospheric auxiliary data to use the Collection 2 Level-2 products.

Visit the Landsat Collection 2 Atmospheric Auxiliary web page for additional information.

 

Constraints and Caveats 

Most day-lit (descending) Collection 2 Landsat 4-9 scenes in the USGS archive can be processed to Surface Reflectance. However, please note the following constraints and caveats:

  1. Newly acquired Landsat 7 and Landsat 8-9 Surface Reflectance products are typically available within 24 hours after a scene has been processed into Tier 1 or Tier 2. Data from all sensors utilize NASA's Goddard Earth Observing System Model Version 5 Forward Processing for Instrument Teams (GOES-5 FP-IT) Atmospheric Assimilation Products for Level-2 product generation. Visit the Landsat Collection 2 Generation Timeline for a visual look at this timeframe.
    1. Due to missing auxiliary input data and/or necessary thermal data, Surface Reflectance processing cannot be applied to data acquired during the dates listed below. 

      SensorDates (DOY)Reason
      Landsat 72016: May 30 (151) to Jun 12 (164)
      2017: Mar 12 (071) -Mar 17 (076)
      2020: Oct 5 (279)
      2023: Dec 3 (337)
      Missing auxiliary input data
      Missing auxiliary input data
      No data collected - Paths 35, 51, 99, 188, 204, 220
      ​​​​​​​Missing auxiliary input data
      Landsat 82019: Dec 20 (354) - Dec 21 (355)
      2020: Nov 1 (306) - Nov 3 (308)
      2020: Nov 4 (309) - Nov 8 (313)
      2020: Nov 9 (314)
      2020: Nov 12 (317) - Nov 13 (318)
      2020: Nov 14 (319)
      2021: Sept 23 (266) - Sept 24 (267)
      No thermal data; satellite safehold
      No thermal data; satellite safehold
      No thermal data
      No thermal data - paths 105, 121, 137, 153, 169, 185
      No thermal data; satellite safehold
      No thermal data - paths 108, 124
      Missing auxiliary input data
  2. Landsat 8-9 OLI Band 8 and Landsat 7 ETM+ Band 8 (panchromatic band) are not processed to Top of Atmosphere or Surface Reflectance
  3. Landsat 8-9 OLI Band 9 (cirrus band) is not processed to Top of Atmosphere or Surface Reflectance
  4. SR is not run on scenes with a solar zenith angle of greater than 76Âş. The primary physical issues with retrieving SR from high solar zenith angles (low sun angle) include:
    • Solar elevation varies more near the poles [1], especially when relying upon sun-synchronous observations.
    • Lower solar elevations at high latitudes results in longer atmospheric paths (i.e., more scattering) [1].
    • The degree of uncertainty in SR retrieval greatly increases, from being negligible to highly inaccurate, at solar zenith angle > 76 degrees.
  5. For reasons mentioned in #4 above, the Surface Reflectance data processed over high latitudes (> 65Âş) have larger uncertainty and should be analyzed carefully.
  6. Corrections from OLI Bands 1 and 2 (coastal aerosol and blue bands, respectively) should not be used for analysis, as they are already used within the algorithm to perform aerosol inversion tests, making them potentially unreliable.
  7. Users are cautioned against using pixels flagged as high aerosol content.
  8. Aerosol retrieval is attempted over all pixels, although a separate routine is used for pixels flagged by LaSRC as water. These conditions are detailed in the Aerosol QA band
  9. There are additional adverse conditions that can affect the efficacy of Landsat 8 SR retrievals, such as:
    • Hyper-arid or snow-covered regions
    • Low sun angle conditions
    • Coastal regions where land area is small relative to adjacent water
    • Areas with extensive cloud contamination
  10. The cloud and cloud shadow indicators in the Surface Reflectance data product are known to report erroneous conditions in areas where temperature differentials are either too large or too small. For example, a warm cloud over extremely cold ground may not calculate enough difference in temperature to identify the cloud. Conversely, residual ice surrounded by unusually warm ground can potentially be identified as cloud.

 

Landsat Collection 2 Known Issues

The Landsat Collection 2 Known Issues page provides information about artifacts found in Landsat Collection 2 data products and attempts to make recommendations on how users can make corrections. 

 

Data Availability

Scene-based Landsat surface reflectance data are available globally for the following instruments:

  • Landsat 9 Operational Land Imager 2 (OLI-2): October 2021 to present
  • Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI): April 2013 to present
  • Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+): July 1999 to April 2022
  • Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM): March 1984 to May 2012
  • Landsat 4 Thematic Mapper (TM): August 1982 to December 1993

 

Data Access

Landsat Collection 2 Level-2 data are available from EarthExplorer. The USGS Landsat no-cost open data policy remains intact since its inception in 2008.

New for Collection 2 is the ability for users to select individual Landsat bands for download. The EarthExplorer Bulk Download option also supports individual band selection and will add all files to the Bulk Order for download using the Bulk Download Application (BDA).

Visit the Landsat Data Access web page for information about bulk download options.  

 

Data Tools

Data manipulation tools that function with Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Land products are likely to work with Landsat surface reflectance data products as well. The public domain tools listed below are suggested for format conversion, science data set extraction, bit extraction (for top of atmosphere reflectance, saturation values only), and reprojection.

HDF-EOS To GeoTIFF Conversion Tool (HEG)Allows a user to reformat, re-project and perform stitching/mosaicing and subsetting operations on HDF-EOS objects. It can also reformats and re-project some SMAP, VIIRS and SRTM products. The output GeoTIFF file is ingestible into commonly used GIS applications. HEG will also write to HDF-EOS Grid & SWATH formats (i.e for Subsetting purposes) and native (or raw) binary. 

Landsat Quality Assessment (QA) ToolsDeveloped by the MODIS land quality assessment group to work specifically with Landsat Surface Reflectance data.

 

Documentation

Landsat 8-9

Landsat 4-7

 

References

Masek, J.G., Vermote, E.F., Saleous N.E., Wolfe, R., Hall, F.G., Huemmrich, K.F., Gao, F., Kutler, J., and Lim, T-K. (2006). A Landsat surface reflectance dataset for North America, 1990–2000. IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Letters 3(1):68-72. https://dx.doi.org/10.1109/LGRS.2005.857030.

Vermote, E., Justice, C., Claverie, M., & Franch, B. (2016). Preliminary analysis of the performance of the Landsat 8/OLI land surface reflectance product. Remote Sensing of Environment. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2016.04.008.

 

Imagery Use

It is not a requirement, but the following credit may be used in publication or presentation materials to acknowledge the USGS: 
Landsat Collection 2 Level-2 image courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey.

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