EarthNow! displays near-real time imagery of Landsat 7 and Landsat 8 data being collected by USGS as the satellites cross over the Earth. Along with live stream video, the tool also replays image loops from a list of recent overpass recordings.
To learn more about each Landsat satellite, sensors, bands, and years of operation, please visit the Landsat Missions website.
EarthNow! is based on FarEarth Global Observer (developed by Pinkmatter Solutions) to help visualize incoming data for satellite receiving stations, which is freely available to the public. FarEarth Global Observer includes passes from Landsat's International Ground Stations, along with the USGS-acquired imagery shown on EarthNow!
EarthNow! streams near-real time satellite imagery of from Landsat 9 and Landsat 8 data acquired by the USGS as the satellites orbit the Earth. When live streams are unavailable, the tool replays recently acquired satellite Landsat imagery. EarthNow! features Landsat data from the USGS Archive as well as International Grounds Stations in partnering countries around the world.
To learn more about Landsat, the sensors on-board each satellite, and how to use the data, please visit the USGS Landsat Missions website.
Landsat imagery is displayed on the left-hand side of the screen as each satellite acquires data of a swath of land below. Each swath is between 185 and 190 kilometers (115-118 miles) wide.
The sensors on Landsat 9 and Landsat 8 scan across the entire width of the satellite scene, gathering data in strips similar to the motion of a push-broom. Detectors on the sensors capture imagery during each pass. Complex algorithms are then used to stitch the data together, transforming it into the detailed images that are displayed in the viewer window.
The sidebar on the right contains information about the imagery you are seeing in the main display. It provides a satellite location reference map, the date and time the imagery was collected, the World Reference System (WRS) Path and Row indicators, and other geographical information.
This tab tells you which Landsat satellite acquired the data you are seeing. It also indicates whether it is a near-real time live-stream or recently acquired and recorded pass of the area.
The recordings tab displays a list of recorded passes. Clicking on the green "play" triangle interrupts the current pass on the main display and shares the recorded pass you selected. When the recorded pass ends, the most recent stream will display again.
| Video Display | Red | Green | Blue |
|---|---|---|---|
| True Color | Red (Band 4) | Green (Band 3) | Blue (Band 2) |
| Vegetation Analysis | Short-wave infrared (Band 7) | Near infrared (Band 5) | Green (Band 3) |
The red flame icon shows any active fires or 'hot spots' on the Earth within the streaming imagery. You can click the icon to turn off the fire data.
The blue circle icon means the names of cities and features on the Earth will display as the satellite passes over. You can click the icon to turn off this information.
Selecting the yellow pause button will temporarily hold the feed at its current location.
Selecting the red stop button will close the current feed and restart the streaming of the most recent Landsat acquisitions.DD MMM YYYYformatQuestions about EarthNow! can be directed to:
USGS User ServicesThe highest available browser version is always recommended to efficiently use EarthNow!. While the tool may work in other browsers, not all combinations of operating systems and plug-ins or add-ons have been tested.
The browsers listed below have been tested and are deemed sufficient as of the date noted: January 11, 2017
For Desktop
While the tool works in various browsers, not all combinations of operating systems and plug-ins or add-ons have been tested.
For Mobile