The ASTER instrument aboard the Terra satellite was designed to acquire data in the visible near-infrared (VNIR) through shortwave infrared (SWIR ) to the thermal infrared (TIR) regions.
- Users are advised that the ASTER SWIR detector has been decommissioned since April 2008. An issue discovered with anomalous saturation of values and anomalous striping may also be present for some prior acquisition periods. Please refer to the ASTER SWIR User Advisory Document for more details.
- On November 28, 2024, one of Terra's power-transmitting shunt units failed. As a result, there was insufficient power to maintain functionality of the ASTER instrument. ASTER resumed acquisitions for the VNIR bands on January 18, 2025, and for the TIR bands on April 15, 2025. Users should note the data gap in ASTER acquisitions from November 28, 2024, through January 16, 2025, for VNIR observations, and a gap from November 28, 2024, through April 15, 2025, for TIR acquisitions.
| Band | Reflected Range (µm) | Spatial Resolution (m) | Band Explanation/Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.52 - 0.60 | 15 m | Visible and Near-Infrared |
| 2 | 0.63 - 0.69 | 15 m | Visible and Near-Infrared |
| 3N | 0.78 - 0.86 | 15 m | Visible and Near-Infrared |
| 3B | 0.78 - 0.86 | 15 m | Visible and Near-Infrared |
| 4 | 1.600 - 1.700 | 30 m | Shortwave Infrared |
| 5 | 2.145 - 2.185 | 30 m | Shortwave Infrared |
| 6 | 2.185 - 2.225 | 30 m | Shortwave Infrared |
| 7 | 2.235 - 2.285 | 30 m | Shortwave Infrared |
| 8 | 2.295 - 2.365 | 30 m | Shortwave Infrared |
| 9 | 2.360 - 2.430 | 30 m | Shortwave Infrared |
| 10 | 8.125 - 8.475 | 90 m | Thermal Infrared |
| 11 | 8.475 - 8.825 | 90 m | Thermal Infrared |
| 12 | 8.925 - 9.275 | 90 m | Thermal Infrared |
| 13 | 10.25 - 10.95 | 90 m | Thermal Infrared |
| 14 | 10.95 - 11.65 | 90 m | Thermal Infrared |