Banner Image

ASTER Instrument Data

ASTER is the only high-spatial resolution imaging instrument on the Terra platform. It is being used to produce detailed maps of surface temperature, emissivity, reflectance, and elevation. ASTER's ability to serve as a "zoom" lens for other instruments is particularly important for change detection and calibration/validation studies.

The Earth's surface is imaged in 14 wavelengths using three cameras:

  • Visible and Near-Infrared (VNIR)
  • Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR)
  • Thermal Infrared (TIR)

Use the menubar to go to the "Tools" page for step-by-step instructions on the use of the Collage and DIAL tools.
ASTER Camera Definitions

Characteristic

VNIR

SWIR

TIR

Spectral Range

Band 1: 0.52 - 0.60
Nadir Looking

Band 4: 1.600 - 1.700

Band 10: 8.125 - 8.475

Band 2: 0.63 - 0.69
Nadir Looking

Band 5: 2.145 - 2.185

Band 11: 8.475 - 8.825

Band 3: 0.76 - 0.86
Nadir Looking

Band 6: 2.185 - 2.225

Band 12: 8.925 - 9.275

Band 3: 0.76 - 0.86
Backward Looking

Band 7: 2.235 - 2.285

Band 13: 10.25 - 10.95

Band 8: 2.295 - 2.365

Band 14: 10.95 - 11.65

Band 9: 2.360 - 2.430

Ground Resolution

15 m

30 m

90 m

Cross-track Pointing (Degrees)

±24

±8.55

±8.55

Cross-track Pointing (km)

±318

±116

±116


ASTER Data Provided

Data Products on This CD

EDC DAAC Database Granule ID

Data Set Name on This CD

ASTER L1B data set

SC:AST_L1B.002:2001722871

ASTL1B_0008301852.hdf

SC:AST_L1B.002:2001722869

ASTL1B_0008301851.hdf

This data sample is two different complete granules taken on one day, August 30, 2000. The data granules cover different areas in the central part of the U.S. state of Idaho (Sawtooth Mountains). These data granules were provided for this CD by the Japanese Earth Remote Sensing Data Anaysis Center (ERSDAC) (See http://ersfront.ersdac.or.jp/ersnew/index-e.html). ERSDAC generates ASTER Level 1 and higher level data products. The Level 1 data products are archived both in Japan (at ERSDAC) and in the United States (at the EROS Data Center (EDC) DAAC).

The producers of this CD wish to express their sincere thanks to Dr. Hiroshi Watanabe and others at the ERSDAC for their special help in providing advanced copies of these ASTER data samples in time to accommodate the early production deadlines of this CD-ROM.

The data samples include clear sky, clouds, and wildfire smoke and haze in the field of view.

The ASTER granule contains 14 bands.

Top of Page