As you zoom in, NASA falls off the list and is replaced by higher-resolution imagery from Terra Metrics, Digital Globe, or another source.įor example, a Google Maps search for 'Tibet' by default zooms to a TerraMetrics image.

Landsat imagery) in the copyright notice when zoomed out to a very distant vantage point. This notice changes as you zoom in according to the imagery resolution provided by each vendor. In both Google Maps and Google Earth you’ll see a copyright notice along the bottom of the screen identifying Google’s imagery source. As you zoom in, you are viewing commercial satellite imagery that Google has purchased. Google Maps and Google Earths only uses Landsat imagery for its most distant views. The resulting resolution is a compromise between 15 and 30 meters per pixel. Pansharpened images are created after the fact by post-processing the Landsat imagery. Pansharpening is a software technique merging elements of the black and white magery with the lower resolution color imagery to increase visible detail. The Landsat 7 sensors collect 15 meter resolution black and white imagery, but only 30 meter color scenes. The highest resolution free satellite imagery is Landsat 7 from NASA. In addition, the satellite imagery is useful to allow for visualization of the terrain. Satellite imagery is very useful for examining regions to locate the coordinates of specific features, if the imagery is high enough resolution to see enough detail. THL Toolbox > Places & Geography > Satellite ImageryĬontributor(s): David Germano, Kelly Johnson

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