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Land Surface Temperature Data Access and Tools
NASA has land surface temperature datasets that help researchers explore how the warmth of land contribute to and change Earth processes as well as how animals and humans live on the planet. Access a range of data and data tools such as AppEEARS, the MODIS/VIIRS Subsetting Tool Suite, and LandsatLook to make the most of land surface temperature data.
Many NASA observation methods—platforms, instruments, and other techniques—provide data that improve our measurement of land surface temperature. Examples of instruments continually collecting temperature data include the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS).
Featured Land Surface Temperature Observation Method: ASTER
The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) obtains high-resolution images of Earth in 14 different electromagnetic wavelengths ranging from visible to thermal infrared light. ASTER flies aboard the Terra satellite and has a resolution as close as 15 meters in the very near infrared wavelength. Scientists use ASTER data to create detailed maps of land surface temperature, emissivity, reflectance, and elevation.
As of 1 April 2016, all Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data products are available at no charge from LP DAAC.
These products are available globally at their full resolution of 30 meters per pixel.
Version 3 of the ASTER Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM) provides new features and sharper imagery.
Land Surface Temperature Datasets
| Dataset | Platforms | Instruments | Temporal Extent | Location Keywords | Spatial Extent | Data Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MODIS/Terra Thermal Bands Daily L2G Global 1km SIN Grid Day NRT | Terra | MODIS | 2021-02-07 | GLOBAL | N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 | HDF-EOS |
| MODIS/Terra Thermal Bands Daily L2G-Lite Global 1km SIN Grid V006 | Terra | MODIS | 2000-02-24 to 2023-02-17 | GLOBAL | N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 | HDF-EOS2 |
| NPP/VIIRS Atmospherically Corrected Surface Reflectance 6-Min L2 Swath 375m, 750m | Suomi-NPP | VIIRS | 2023-10-10 | GLOBAL | N: 80 S: -80 E: 180 W: -180 | hdf-EOS |
| NPP/VIIRS Atmospherically Corrected Surface Reflectance 6-Min L2 Swath 375m, 750m NRT | Suomi-NPP | VIIRS | 2016-11-01 | GLOBAL | N: 80 S: -80 E: 180 W: -180 | hdf |
| NPP/VIIRS Surface Reflectance Daily L2G Global 1km and 500m SIN Grid | Suomi-NPP | VIIRS | 2023-10-10 | GLOBAL | N: 80 S: -80 E: 180 W: -180 | h5 (Hierarchical Data Format (version 5)) |
| NPP/VIIRS Surface Reflectance Daily L2G Global 1km and 500m SIN Grid NRT | Suomi-NPP | VIIRS | 2016-11-01 | GLOBAL | N: 80 S: -80 E: 180 W: -180 | h5 (Hierarchical Data Format (version 5)) |
| Radiant Temp. Helicopter Data (FIFE) | HELICOPTER | SPECTRORADIOMETERS, INFRARED THERMOMETERS | 1989-07-28 to 1989-08-11 | N: 39.12 S: 38.98 E: -96.45 W: -96.61 | multiple | |
| Radiant Temp. Multiangle Data (FIFE) | FIELD INVESTIGATION | INFRARED RADIOMETERS, INFRARED THERMOMETERS | 1989-07-12 to 1989-08-10 | N: 39.09 S: 39.05 E: -96.54 W: -96.55 | multiple | |
| Radiant Temperature Ground Data (FIFE) | FIELD INVESTIGATION | INFRARED THERMOMETERS | 1989-06-15 to 1989-08-11 | N: 39.09 S: 39.05 E: -96.54 W: -96.55 | multiple | |
| SAFARI 2000 ASTER and MODIS Fire Data Comparison, Dry Season 2001 | Terra | MODIS, ASTER | 2001-08-05 to 2001-10-05 | N: -11.29 S: -26.83 E: 44.26 W: 16.31 | ASCII |
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