Understanding Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 29 views

Introduction

The Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1 dataset is a significant improvement over its predecessors, offering higher quality and more accurate data for various applications, including land cover classification, crop monitoring, and climate change research. However, when working with this dataset, it's essential to understand the valid range of spectral bands to ensure accurate calculations and avoid errors. In this article, we will discuss the Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1 spectral bands valid range, focusing on the RED, NIR, and SWIR bands, which are commonly used in remote sensing applications.

Understanding Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1

Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1 is a product of the Landsat 8 and 9 satellites, which were launched in 2013 and 2020, respectively. This dataset is produced by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is available for free download from the USGS Earth Explorer website. The Level 2 Tier 1 product is a radiometrically corrected dataset, which means that it has been corrected for atmospheric and topographic effects, making it suitable for various applications.

Spectral Bands in Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1

The Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1 dataset contains 11 spectral bands, which are listed below:

Band 1: Coastal Aerosol (0.433-0.453 μm)
Band 2: Blue (0.450-0.510 μm)
Band 3: Green (0.530-0.590 μm)
Band 4: Red (0.640-0.680 μm)
Band 5: NIR (0.850-0.880 μm)
Band 6: SWIR1 (1.560-1.660 μm)
Band 7: SWIR2 (2.100-2.300 μm)
Band 8: Panchromatic (0.500-0.680 μm)
Band 9: Cirrus (1.360-1.390 μm)
Band 10: Thermal Infrared (10.60-11.19 μm)
Band 11: Thermal Infrared (11.50-12.91 μm)

Valid Range of RED, NIR, and SWIR Bands

The valid range of the RED, NIR, and SWIR bands in Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1 is as follows:

Band 4 (RED): 0.640-0.680 μm, with a valid range of 0-10000 (DN)
Band 5 (NIR): 0.850-0.880 μm, with a valid range of 0-10000 (DN)
Band 6 (SWIR1): 1.560-1.660 μm, with a valid range of 0-10000 (DN)
Band 7 (SWIR2): 2.100-2.300 μm, with a valid range of 0-10000 (DN)

DN (Digital Number) Values

The DN values represent the radiance of the pixel, with higher values indicating higher radiance. The valid range of DN values for the RED, NIR, and SWIR bands is 0-10000. However, it's essential to note that DN values can be affected by various factors, including atmospheric conditions, topography, and sensor calibration.

Invalid Values in RED, NIR, and SWIR Bands

Invalid values in the RED, NIR, and SWIR bands can occur due to various reasons, including:

Atmospheric effects: Atmospheric conditions, such as aerosols and water vapor, can affect the radiance of the pixel, leading to invalid values.
Topographic effects: Topography can cause shadows, which can lead to invalid values in the RED, NIR, and SWIR bands.
Sensor calibration: Sensor calibration errors can also lead to invalid values in the RED, NIR, and SWIR bands.

Removing Invalid Values

To remove invalid values in the RED, NIR, and SWIR bands, you can use various methods, including:

Masking: Masking invalid values by setting them to a specific value, such as 0 or -9999.
Interpolation: Interpolating invalid values using neighboring pixels.
Filling: Filling invalid values using a specific value or a statistical method.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the valid range of spectral bands in Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1 is essential for accurate calculations and avoiding errors. The RED, NIR, and SWIR bands are commonly used in remote sensing applications, and it's crucial to know their valid range to ensure accurate results. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can ensure that your raster of RED, NIR, and SWIR bands is accurate and reliable.

Recommendations

Based on the discussion above, we recommend the following:

Use the valid range of spectral bands: When working with Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1, use the valid range of spectral bands to ensure accurate calculations.
Remove invalid values: Remove invalid values in the RED, NIR, and SWIR bands using masking, interpolation, or filling methods.
Verify data quality: Verify the quality of your data by checking for atmospheric and topographic effects, as well as sensor calibration errors.

Future Work

Future work in this area includes:

Developing new methods for removing invalid values: Developing new methods for removing invalid values in the RED, NIR, and SWIR bands.
Improving sensor calibration: Improving sensor calibration to reduce errors in the RED, NIR, and SWIR bands.
Developing new applications: Developing new applications that utilize the RED, NIR, and SWIR bands in Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1.
Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1 Spectral Bands Valid Range: Q&A ================================================================

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1 spectral bands valid range, focusing on the RED, NIR, and SWIR bands. However, we understand that there are still many questions and concerns regarding this topic. In this article, we will address some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to the Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1 spectral bands valid range.

Q: What is the difference between Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1 and Landsat Collection 1?

A: Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1 is a product of the Landsat 8 and 9 satellites, which were launched in 2013 and 2020, respectively. This dataset is produced by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is available for free download from the USGS Earth Explorer website. Landsat Collection 1, on the other hand, is a product of the Landsat 7 satellite, which was launched in 1999. The main difference between the two collections is the improved sensor calibration and radiometric correction in Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1.

Q: What is the valid range of the RED, NIR, and SWIR bands in Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1?

A: The valid range of the RED, NIR, and SWIR bands in Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1 is as follows:

Band 4 (RED): 0.640-0.680 μm, with a valid range of 0-10000 (DN)
Band 5 (NIR): 0.850-0.880 μm, with a valid range of 0-10000 (DN)
Band 6 (SWIR1): 1.560-1.660 μm, with a valid range of 0-10000 (DN)
Band 7 (SWIR2): 2.100-2.300 μm, with a valid range of 0-10000 (DN)

Q: What is the difference between DN (Digital Number) and radiance?

A: DN (Digital Number) is a measure of the radiance of a pixel, with higher values indicating higher radiance. Radiance, on the other hand, is the actual amount of energy emitted or reflected by a pixel. DN values can be affected by various factors, including atmospheric conditions, topography, and sensor calibration.

Q: How can I remove invalid values in the RED, NIR, and SWIR bands?

A: There are several methods for removing invalid values in the RED, NIR, and SWIR bands, including:

Masking: Masking invalid values by setting them to a specific value, such as 0 or -9999.
Interpolation: Interpolating invalid values using neighboring pixels.
Filling: Filling invalid values using a specific value or a statistical method.

Q: What are some common errors that can occur when working with Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1?

A: Some common errors that can occur when working with Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1 include:

Atmospheric effects: Atmospheric conditions, such as aerosols and water vapor, can affect the radiance of the pixel, leading to invalid values.
Topographic effects: Topography can cause shadows, which can lead to invalid values in the RED, NIR, and SWIR bands.
Sensor calibration: Sensor calibration errors can also lead to invalid values in the RED, NIR, and SWIR bands.

Q: How can I verify the quality of my data?

A: To verify the quality of your data, you can check for atmospheric and topographic effects, as well as sensor calibration errors. You can also use various methods, such as:

Visual inspection: Visually inspecting the data to identify any obvious errors or anomalies.
Statistical analysis: Performing statistical analysis to identify any patterns or trends in the data.
Comparison with other data: Comparing your data with other data sources to identify any discrepancies or inconsistencies.

Q: What are some future developments in Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1?

A: Some future developments in Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1 include:

Improved sensor calibration: Improving sensor calibration to reduce errors in the RED, NIR, and SWIR bands.
New applications: Developing new applications that utilize the RED, NIR, and SWIR bands in Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1.
Enhanced data quality: Enhancing data quality by improving atmospheric and topographic corrections.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1 spectral bands valid range is a critical aspect of remote sensing applications. By understanding the valid range of the RED, NIR, and SWIR bands, you can ensure accurate calculations and avoid errors. We hope that this Q&A article has provided you with a better understanding of the Landsat Collection 2 Level 2 Tier 1 spectral bands valid range and its applications.