EARTH OBSERVATION DATA SOURCES

Planetary Visions can obtain and process data from a variety of Earth Observation sensor systems to support our computer graphics and digital cartography projects. The examples below show the level of detail available from satellite systems and air photos. Global coverage is available in-house from our Satellite Imagemap product, based on NOAA AVHRR weather satellite imagery, down to a pixel size of 1 kilometre. The other datasets need to be acquired for specific locations, and are subject to archive availability.

The image samples below are full-resolution extracts from cloud-free or nearly cloud-free images. Full images are typically several thousand pixels across. Generally speaking, a sensor showing more detail (with a smaller pixel size) will cover a smaller area of ground in each image.

Images are provided for evaluation only and may not be otherwise used without permission.


Global Coverage
AVHRR 16km
Europe, Middle East
& North Africa
AVHRR 4km
Turkey & Black Sea
AVHRR 1km
Eastern Turkey &
The Sea of Marmara

Moderate Resolution
TERRA MODIS 250m
Netherlands
RESURS MSU 160m
Salzburg, Austria

High Resolution
Landsat TM 30m
San Francisco, USA
Landsat TM 30m
Bremen, Germany
Landsat 7 ETM 30m
Caithness, Scotland
Landsat 7 ETM 15m
Caithness, Scotland
SPOT XS 20m
Manhattan,
New York City, USA
SPOT PA 10m
Manhattan,
New York City, USA
SPOT PA/XS 10m
Manhattan,
New York City, USA

Ultra-High Resolution
DD5 2m
Buckingham Palace,
London, UK
DD5/SPOT XS 2m
Buckingham Palace,
London, UK

Highest Commercial Resolution
DigiGlobe 67 cm
Pier and depot,
Gujarat, India
DigiGlobe 67 cm
Industrial site,
Gujarat, India

Aerial Photography
Air Photo 2m
Thames River,
London, UK
Air Photo 20cm
Trafalgar Square,
London, UK