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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).
Land Surface Temperature Datasets
| Dataset Sort descending | Version | Platform | Instrument | Temporal Extent | Spatial Extent | Spatial Resolution | Data Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Satellite Landsat TM Extr. Data (FIFE) | 1 | LANDSAT-5 | TM | 1987-04-09 to 1988-09-26 |
N: 39.12 S: 38.98 E: -96.45 W: -96.61 |
multiple | |
| SE-590 Reflectance & Radiances (FIFE) | 1 | HELICOPTER | SPECTRORADIOMETERS | 1989-07-28 to 1989-08-08 |
N: 39.12 S: 38.98 E: -96.45 W: -96.61 |
multiple | |
| SHIFT: HyTES L2 Geolocated Land Surface Temperature and Emissivity, March 23 2022 | 1 | NOAA Twin Otter | HyTES | 2022-03-23 to 2022-03-23 |
N: 34.8859 S: 34.18 E: -118.784 W: -120.603 |
multiple | |
| SMAPVEX08 PALS Brightness Temperature Data V001 | 1 | AIRCRAFT | PALS | 2008-09-29 to 2008-10-13 |
N: 39.09 S: 38.93 E: -75.55 W: -76.25 |
350 Meters x 1100 Meters | ASCII |
| SMAPVEX12 PALS Brightness Temperature Data V001 | 1 | AIRCRAFT | PALS | 2012-06-07 to 2012-07-19 |
N: 49.96 S: 49.44 E: -97.85 W: -98.51 |
500 Meters to 1500 Meters x 500 Meters to 1500 Meters | ASCII |
| SMAPVEX15 PALS Brightness Temperature Data V001 | 1 | AIRCRAFT | PALS | 2015-08-02 to 2015-08-18 |
N: 31.87 S: 31.51 E: -109.84 W: -110.96 |
1200 Meters x 1200 Meters | CSV |
| SMAPVEX16 Manitoba Probe-Based In Situ Soil Moisture Data V001 | 1 | FIELD SURVEYS, GROUND-BASED OBSERVATIONS | INFRARED RADIOMETERS, DIELECTRIC PROBE, SOIL TEMPERATURE PROBE | 2016-06-08 to 2016-07-22 |
N: 49.761171 S: 49.384076 E: -97.756264 W: -98.098417 |
CSV, KMZ | |
| Surface Radiance Data: UNL (FIFE) | 1 | FIELD INVESTIGATION | LICOR QUANTUM SENSOR, PYRANOMETERS, PLANT STRESS MONITOR, NET RADIOMETERS, INFRARED THERMOMETERS | 1987-05-30 to 1989-08-11 |
N: 39.12 S: 38.98 E: -96.47 W: -96.59 |
multiple | |
| TOVS GLA 5 DAY GRIDS from NOAA-10 V01 (TOVSA5NG) at GES DISC | 01 | NOAA-12 | TOVS, MSU, HIRS/2 | 1986-11-26 to 1991-08-29 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
||
| TOVS GLA 5 DAY GRIDS from NOAA-11 V01 (TOVSA5NH) at GES DISC | 01 | NOAA-11 | HIRS/2, MSU, TOVS | 1988-10-12 to 1994-06-30 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
||
| TOVS GLA 5 DAY GRIDS from NOAA-12 V01 (TOVSA5ND) at GES DISC | 01 | NOAA-12 | TOVS, MSU, HIRS/2 | 1991-07-04 to 1994-06-30 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
||
| TOVS GLA 5 DAY GRIDS from NOAA-9 V01 (TOVSA5NF) at GES DISC | 01 | NOAA-9 | TOVS, MSU, HIRS/2 | 1984-12-31 to 1987-01-01 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
||
| TOVS GLA 5 DAY GRIDS from TIROSN V01 (TOVSA5TN ) at GES DISC | 01 | TIROS-N | HIRS/2, MSU, TOVS | 1978-12-01 to 1979-06-30 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
||
| TOVS GLA DAILY GRIDS from NOAA-12 V01 (TOVSADND) at GES DISC | 01 | NOAA-12 | HIRS/2, MSU, TOVS | 1991-07-04 to 1994-07-01 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
||
| TOVS GLA DAILY GRIDS from TIROSN V01 (TOVSADTN) at GES DISC | 01 | TIROS-N | HIRS/2, MSU, TOVS | 1978-11-29 to 1979-07-01 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
||
| TOVS GLA MONTHLY GRIDS from NOAA-10 V01 (TOVSAMNG) at GES DISC | 01 | NOAA-10 | HIRS/2, MSU, TOVS | 1986-11-30 to 1991-09-01 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
||
| TOVS GLA MONTHLY GRIDS from NOAA-11 V01 (TOVSAMNH) at GES DISC | 01 | NOAA-11 | HIRS/2, MSU, TOVS | 1988-10-31 to 1994-07-01 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
||
| VIIRS (NOAA 21) I Band 375 m Active Fire Product NRT (Vector data) | 1 | NOAA-21 | VIIRS | 2016-01-01 |
N: 80 S: -80 E: 180 W: -180 |
375 Meters x 375 Meters | TXT, SHP, KML, WMS, as FIRMS email alerts |
| VIIRS NOAA-20 (JPSS-1) 375m, I-Band Active Fire Product NRT (Vector Data) | 2 | NOAA-20 | VIIRS | 2016-01-01 |
N: 80 S: -80 E: 180 W: -180 |
375 Meters x 375 Meters | TXT |
| VIIRS (NOAA-20/JPSS-1) I Band 375 m Active Fire Product NRT (Vector data) | 2 | NOAA-20 | VIIRS | 2024-10-01 |
N: 80 S: -80 E: 180 W: -180 |
375 Meters x 375 Meters | TXT, SHP, KML, WMS, as FIRMS email alerts |
| VIIRS (S-NPP) I Band 375 m Active Fire Product NRT (Vector data) | 2 | Suomi-NPP | VIIRS | 2016-01-01 |
N: 80 S: -80 E: 180 W: -180 |
375 Meters x 375 Meters | TXT, SHP, KML, WMS, as FIRMS email alerts |
| VIIRS/JPSS1 Active Fires 6-Min L2 Swath 375m NRT | 2 | NOAA-20 | VIIRS | 2020-07-15 |
N: 80 S: -80 E: 180 W: -180 |
375 Meters x 375 Meters | NetCDF4 |
| VIIRS/JPSS1 Active Fires 6-Min L2 Swath 375m V002 | 002 | NOAA-20 | VIIRS | 2018-01-01 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
375 Meters x 375 Meters | netCDF-4 |
| VIIRS/JPSS1 Atmospherically Corrected Surface Reflectance 6-Min L2 Swath IP 375m, 750m NRT | 2 | NOAA-20 | VIIRS | 2023-10-10 |
N: 80 S: -80 E: 180 W: -180 |
HDF-EOS | |
| VIIRS/JPSS1 Land Surface Temperature and Emissivity 6-Min L2 Swath 375m NRT | 2 | NOAA-20 | VIIRS | 2023-10-10 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
375 Meters x 375 Meters | NetCDF |
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.
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