WI

The [W]hat [I]s series by SkyWatch
explains common terms used 
in the geospatial industry. 
What is SAR?
WI

What is SAR?

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is a specific satellite that can capture imagery in all weather conditions, day or night. SAR sends a microwave radar signal to the earth’s surface to detect physical properties.

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What are indices?
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What are indices?

Indices are calculated using the multispectral bands. These calculations result in the outputs being in the form of an index with values between 0-1. At the same time, the indices provide additional information about the ground surface being imaged.

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What are multispectral outputs?
WI

What Are Multispectral Outputs?

Multispectral outputs are made up of bands within the multispectral spectral ranges. The different options include true colour, false colour urban, false colour infrared, and all optical bands.

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What is archive?
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What Is Archive?

Using a console like EarthCache, archive satellite imagery is a purchasing option for imagery that has already been collected. Archive imagery can be passively collected by satellites that constantly collect over the earth.

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tasking
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What Is Tasking?

Tasking is the act of “ordering” new satellite imagery from a specific satellite. To task a satellite, coordinates of an area of interest (AOI), time frame and interval are sent to the satellite provider.

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temporal resolution
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What Is Temporal Resolution?

Temporal resolution, also known as re-visit rates, vary from different providers. Temporal resolution provides information on the time difference between the acquisitions of two images over the same area.

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high resolution
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What Is High Resolution?

High resolution refers to the spatial resolution size of a satellite image. In simple terms, the resolution type will determine the clarity of your optical image.

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low resolution
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What Is Low Resolution?

Medium resolution refers to the spatial resolution size of a satellite image. In simple terms, the resolution type will determine the clarity of your optical image.

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what is earthcache
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What Is EarthCache?

EarthCache is a satellite imagery marketplace and API. It connects customers to one of the largest marketplaces of satellite data providers in the world.

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mosaicking
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What Is Mosaicking?

In a marketplace console like EarthCache, Mosaicking is an optional setting that allows for multiple images from the same satellite sensor to be mosaicked (aka "stitched") together.

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AOI featured image
WI

What is AOI?

AOI is an acronym for “Area of Interest.”

Knowing your desired AOI will help you in planning your data collection with satellites to ensure you get the right technology in the right place and at the right time.

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