Landsat Missions
Question:
How do I determine the processing level of the Landsat scene I have downloaded?
Answer:
The processing level* of a downloaded scene can be found in either the metadata (MTL.txt) or processing history (WO.txt) files. These files are delivered with the data band files and other ancillary data.
The MTL.txt file is included when a scene is processed through the Level 1 Product Generation System (LPGS). All Landsat 7 ETM+ (1999–present) and most Landsat 4-5 TM (1982–present) scenes are processed through LPGS.
The WO.txt file is included when a scene is processed through the National Land Archive Production System (NLAPS). All Landsat 1–5 MSS (1972–83) and some Landsat 4-5 TM (1982–1990) scenes are processed through NLAPS.
*Descriptions of processing levels can be found at http://landsat.usgs.gov/products_productinformation.php
After downloading the scene, locate and open the MTL.txt file or the WO.txt file.
Within the MTL.txt file, the processing level is listed as PRODUCT TYPE, as seen in the example below. L1T designates terrain corrected processing. L1Gt designates systematic terrain corrected processing. L1G designates systematic corrected processing.
Figure 1. MTL.txt Example
Within the WO.txt file, the processing level is listed as Processing Level, as seen in the example below. Precision Geocorrection designates terrain corrected processing, similar to L1T processing listed in the MTL.txt example listed above. Systematic Geocorrection designates systematic corrected processing.
Figure 2. WO.txt Example
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://landsat.usgs.gov
Page Contact Information: landsat@usgs.gov
Page Last Modified: November 23, 2009
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