Landsat MSS Comparison Images from Incorrect Gain/Offset Values
Detailed Description
In early 2025, it was discovered that over 44,000 Landsat 2 and Landsat 3 Multispectral Sensor (MSS) Level-1 products were processed in 2020 with a calibration parameter file (CPF) that contained incorrect gain/offset values.
This error causes a slightly noticeable difference in the brightness values (known as the digital number - DN) of the pixels within an affected product — in Band 4 and Band 5, specifically. The band data display higher or lower DN values than they should, resulting from the coefficient applied during Level-1 processing.
These images display Band 4 from Landsat 3 MSS February 20, 1982. The left is the current product; the right image displays the corrected image.
Left: LM03_L1GS_015046_19820220_20191211_02_T2_B4.TIF. Mean DN = 77.384679799382
Right: LM03_L1GS_015046_19820220_20250312_02_T2_B4.TIF. Mean DN = 59.734909430694
A solution to correct the issue and apply the correct CPF to the affected products has been identified, and the affected products will be reprocessed.
Visit the Landsat Collection 2 Known Issues page to learn more.
Sources/Usage
Public Domain.