Landsat Satellites Expand Earth Monitoring with Nighttime Imagery
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Landsat satellites are now routinely collecting nighttime data, revealing details invisible during the day. This capability is being used to discover new geothermal features, monitor wildfires and gas flares, and track changes in polar ice. The imagery is publicly available and supports a wide range of scientific and environmental monitoring efforts.
Facts First
- Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 now collect nighttime imagery during their ascending orbits.
- The Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) can measure surface temperatures from geothermal features to solid ice in darkness.
- Nighttime data has led to discoveries like a new thermal feature in Yellowstone National Park in 2017.
- The capability supports monitoring of wildfires, gas flares, and urban temperatures through special requests.
- All collected nighttime imagery is available to the public via the USGS EarthExplorer website.
What Happened
Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 satellites have expanded their long-term Earth observation mission to include routine nighttime imaging. This process uses the satellites' Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) and the shortwave infrared (SWIR) bands of the Operational Land Imager (OLI) to collect data when the sun is below the horizon. The data volume from nighttime passes is lower than daytime, allowing time for downlinking to ground stations.
Why this Matters to You
This expanded satellite capability provides scientists and agencies with a continuous, around-the-clock view of Earth's surface. For you, this means more precise monitoring of environmental hazards. Authorities may be able to better track seasonal wildfires and map urban heat islands. The public discovery of a new geothermal feature in Yellowstone suggests this data could lead to a better understanding of natural systems in national parks you might visit.
What's Next
The use of nighttime Landsat data is likely to grow as researchers continue to find new applications. Ongoing campaigns, like the Landsat Extended Acquisition of the Poles (LEAP), will continue using this data to track changes in polar ice sheets and ocean interactions. More special requests from scientists and agencies for targeted nighttime monitoring of volcanoes, gas flares, and other phenomena are expected, which could lead to further discoveries about our planet.