Satellite Imagery Resources

Satellite imagery is a crucial data source for many GIS applications. The University of Chicago’s Research Computing Center (RCC) provides access to various imagery sources for academic researchers.

Available Imagery Sources

• ASTER Global DEM Data: High-resolution global digital elevation models
• Digital Globe Satellite Imagery: High-resolution commercial satellite imagery
• ESA Global Land Cover: Land cover classification data from the European Space Agency
• Planet: Daily Earth imaging via small satellites
• USGS Earth Explorer: Comprehensive archive of satellite imagery and aerial photography

Applications in GIS

Common Applications

• Land use and land cover mapping
• Urban planning and development monitoring
• Agricultural yield estimation
• Disaster response and damage assessment
• Environmental monitoring
• Climate change studies

Key Considerations

• Spatial resolution
• Spectral resolution
• Temporal resolution
• Atmospheric corrections
• Image classification techniques

Need Assistance?

RCC provides support and resources for working with these imagery sources in GIS applications. Contact our team for assistance with accessing or processing satellite imagery:

• Email: gis-help@rcc.uchicago.edu
• Contact Form