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This lab will provide an introduction and overview of some of the basic functionality of ArcGIS for
working with raw image data. This lab specifically provides practice with adding and viewing
image datasets. Students are also encouraged to become familiar working with and finding
information on ArcGIS Help topics. The goals for this assignment are to:
Analyze individual wavelength bands to compare how they record an image remotely.
Create a series of composite images using various individual wavelength bands.
Compare how various composite images help us understand the physical and human
environments on the surface of the earth.
This assignment also meets the colleges learning outcome for critical thinking. This includes
reasoning effectively from available evidence; demonstrating effective problem solving;
demonstrating higher-order skills such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation; making
connections across disciplines; applying scientific methods to the inquiry process.
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Step 1: Log into AllAccess via the instructions provided to you by your instructor.
Step 2: You will need to go to the folder that contains the data for this and future assignments.
From your AllAccess virtual computer, start a new ArcMap project and open up a blank map.
Once opened, click on the Add Data icon.
Step 3: Click on the Connect to Folder icon and click on My Computer. From there, click on
the gis$ server and navigate to: G:\GEOG_1780_RemoteSensing\Data
Click Ok.
Within the Data folder, youll see several more folders. Double-click on CompositeImagery ->
landsat_may_2006.
Single-click on B10.TIF, hold down the shift key, and select through B70. Click Add. You
should be adding 7 different .TIF layers to ArcMap.
Note the following information about the bands within this image below.
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Wavelength
(nanometers)
Band
Spatial
Resolution
Band Name
L5039035_03520060512_B10.TIF
0.45-0.515
Band 1
30 meters
Blue
L5039035_03520060512_B20.TIF
0.525-0.605
Band 2
30 meters
Green
L5039035_03520060512_B30.TIF
0.63-0.69
Band 3
30 meters
Red
L5039035_03520060512_B40.TIF
0.75-0.90
Band 4
30 meters
Near Infrared
L5039035_03520060512_B50.TIF
1.55-1.75
Band 5
30 meters
Shortwave
Infrared 1
L5039035_03520060512_B60.TIF
10.4-12.5
Band 6
60 meters
Thermal
Infrared
L5039035_03520060512_B70.TIF
2.09-2.35
Band 7
30 meters
Shortwave
Infrared 2
Above is a graph that highlights the various uses for each band within a Landsat image. For this
section of the assignment, we are going to compare how each individual band can be used to
analyze an image.
Step 1: Turn on (check the box) the layer titled L5039035_03520060512_B10.TIF (i.e. Band 1)
and analyze the image.
Q1: What band name (i.e. electromagnetic wavelength) is this layer?
blue
Step 2: Now compare Bands 1, 3, 5, and 7. Make sure only one is checked when looking at that
particular band.
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Q2: How would you compare the difference between Band 1, Band 3, Band 5, and Band 7?
there are different layers of contrast
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Step 2: Open the Image Analysis Window by clicking on Windows and then Image Analysis.
In the Image Analysis window, highlight bands 1, 2, and 3 (i.e. B10, B20, and B30) using the
Control button and select the Composite tool within the Processing box.
A 3-band composite image will automatically be created and added to the Image Analysis
window as well as the Table of Contents.
Q3: What color assignment are Bands 1, 2, and 3 assigned to? In other words, what display
colors are Bands 1, 2, and 3 assigned to by default?
red 1 green 2 blue 3
NOTE: In ArcGIS, the color assignments will always be Red, Green, and Blue (RGB). You will
assign specific wavelengths to specific color bands.
Step 3: Next, we will change the display colors. To do this, right-click on the new 3-band image
layer (the layer on the top of the Table of Contents) and select Properties. Click on the
Symbology tab.
Step 4: Click on the down arrow for each of the Red, Green, and Blue channels and select the
bands as shown in the table below.
Channel
Band
Red
Band 3
Green
Band 2
Blue
Band 1
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The Symbology tab should now look like the following image:
Next, click on the General tab and rename the layer 3 2 1 Composite.
Click OK.
Step 5: Rename the layer to 3-2-1 Composite. This is called a natural color image because it
looks normal to our eyes.
Capture an image of this composite by doing the following. Go to File -> Export Map. Save the
image to your desktop (AllAccess or your personal computer). Name the file Natural Color
Image and save it as a .JPEG (Save as type:). You will submit this and other images at the end
of the assignment.
Q4: Compare the results above (band combination 3, 2, 1) with the band combination originally
displayed (band combination 1, 2, 3) when the image was first created. Which display band
combination creates the most natural looking image for a true color display? (You may need
to switch Red to Band 1 and Band 3 to Blue to review the combinations). red 3, green 2, blue 2
Step 6: Bring up the Properties on the 3 2 1 Composite image. Click on the Source tab. Look
through the specific properties in this tab. Enter the value for each property in the table below.
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Property
Value
7871, 7001
Number of Bands
30, 30
Spatial Reference
WGS_1984_UTM_zone_11N
Status
temporary
Color Band
Landsat Band
ArcGIS Band
Wavelength
Wavelength Name
Red
Band 4
Band_1
0.75-0.90
Near Infrared
Green
Band 5
Band_2
1.55-1.75
Shortwave IR-1
Blue
Band 7
Band_3
2.09-2.35
Shortwave IR-2
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Q5: Describe what the table above is trying to explain. In other words, how are the assigned
wavelengths being represented by RGB?
Step 4: Create a new composite layer of Landsat 2, 3, 4. Rename that layer 2-3-4 Composite.
Export the map to your desktop.
Step 5: Use the same procedure to generate another 3-band image using only bands 4 3 2.
Right-click on the layer and select Properties and click on the Symbology tab.
The Red band should be represent Landsat Band 4. The green band should represent Landsat
Band 3. The Blue band should represent Landsat Band 2. Rename the layer 4-3-2 Composite.
This is called a false color image. This rendition looks rather strange; vegetation jumps out as
a bright red because green vegetation readily reflects infrared light energy. It is similar to
pictures taken from aircraft when using infrared film; very useful for studying vegetation.
Step 6: Following previous steps, create a pseudo natural color image where the Blue band
represents Landsat Band 2, the Green band represents Landsat Band 3, and Red represents
Landsat Band 7. Name the layer 7-3-2 Composite. This retention looks like a more intense
natural color rendition, but with more striking colors.
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psuedo natural shows soil, vegetation, and buildings and offers th most visual contrast
for analisi
Q6: Compare the natural color image, the false color image, and the pseudo natural color
image. Explain the strengths and weaknesses of each.
the natural color shows soil, buildings and roads, stengths: natural looking, weakness not a lot of contrast for easy viewing
Q7: Describe three features (objects) and three types of land cover in EACH of the three
images.
the false color shows soil, vegetation, and lot types, strengths are clear vegetation, weekness is buildings
Q8: Which of the three images best visually represents vegetation? Explain why.
psuedo natural best represents because it is green like you'd expect and there are many shades of contrast
Q9: Which of the three images best visually represents urban areas. Explain why.
natural best reflects urban areas, showuing more detailed roads, lots, and building types
Write-up
Geographers and other spatial scientists often usegeographic inquiryto analyze physical and
cultural environments on the earth. The geographic inquiry is similar to the scientific method, but
with an emphasis in spatial analysis. This process, called geographic inquiry, is based on the
following processes:
Ask- What is the problem you are trying to solve or analyze, and where is it located?
Framing the question will help you decide what to analyze and how to present the results
toyour audience.
Acquire- Describe the type of data you used for this assignment. The type of data and
the geographic scope of your assignment dictated how the data was collected and how it
was analyzed.
Examine- Was the data you used for the assignment appropriate for the study
area?This includes how the data is organized, how accurate it is, and where the data
came from.
Analyze- Geographic analysis is the core strength of spatial knowledge. Describe how
you analyzed the data and imagery used for the assignment. What information did you
acquire and learn from theanalyses.
Act-The results of your analyses can be shared through reports, maps, tables, and
charts and delivered in printed format or digitally over a network or on the web. Describe
how you shared your analyses for the assignment.
Connect - How might you apply this type of geographicinquiry in other contexts (i.e.
real-world and other courses you've taken or are taking throughout your academic
career)?
Based on the assignment you just completed, write a detailed report within your ePortfolio
based on the geographic inquiry process and use the mapping imagery you created to support
your analysis. This assignment must be located within the course page within your Coursework
tab of your ePortfolio.
Also, you need to actually write your report within your ePortfolio, along with satellite imagery. I
do NOT want this submitted in a word processing document that you upload into your ePortfolio.
Rather, you need to have your report written within your ePortfolio You will be submitting
several assignments into your ePortfolio throughout the course, so please considerwebsite
designas you upload them into your ePortfolio.
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