USGS Global Visualization Viewer

The USGS Global Visualization Viewer is a quick and easy online search and order tool for selected satellite data. When you first open the USGS Global Visualization Viewer, you will see the Global View:

Getting started is as easy as clicking on the world map near your area of interest.
If you wish to view data from a satellite sensor other than Landsat 7 ETM+, you may select the sensor and sensor type before clicking on the map, or you may select another sensor later.

Getting Around

This view shows a mosaic of the most recent cloud-free satellite browse images around the point you selected. From here, you can begin to explore the other satellite images from our archive:

Roam around on the earth's surface by clicking on either the arrow buttons or the global locator map near the top left of the display. You can also "shortcut" to a specific location by entering the desired WRS-2 (WRS-1 for Landsat 1-3 data) "path" and "row" or latitude and longitude.
Limit the range of scenes to view by setting search limits in the search limits dialog box. The search limits dialog box is opened by selecting the "Tools" menu from the menu bar and then clicking on "Search Limits...".
View the available images for the highlighted scene with the "Prev Scene" and "Next Scene" buttons. You can also "shortcut" to a specific date by entering the month and year. The possible dates will be dependent upon the sensor, as well as the specific data in the USGS browse image inventory.
Scenes with high cloud cover can be excluded by adjusting the maximum cloud cover setting (via the "Max Cloud" drop-down menu).
To help determine where you are, select the "Map Layers" menu on the menu bar. You will then be able to view political boundaries, roads, water, north arrow, WRS Centers, and/or US Cities.
Limited "zoom in" and "zoom out" can be achieved by selecting the "Resolution" menu on the menu bar and clicking on the resolution to be viewed.

Creating a Scene List

When you discover a suitable scene, simply "Add" the highlighted scene to your Scene List at the lower left of the display.

Modifying the Scene List

To delete a scene from the Scene List, select the scene within the list and then click on "Delete".

Viewing Metadata & Browse

The metadata and/or browse image for any scene can be reviewed by selecting the "Show Metadata" or "Show Browse" options from various right-click popup menus.

Ordering Data

When your scene list is complete, click on the "Order" button in the scene list dialog box or right-click on the scene list dialog box for a popup menu and select "Order List". (NOTE: If you have scenes from different sensors, you will need to do this separately for each sensor type).

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