The Thematic Mapper

The Thematic Mapper

The Thematic Mapper (TM) is an advanced, multispectral scanning, Earth resources sensor designed to achieve higher image resolution, sharper spectral separation, improved geometric fidelity and greater radiometric accuracy and resolution than the MSS sensor. TM data are sensed in seven spectral bands simultaneously. Band 6 senses thermal (heat) infrared radiation. Landsat can only acquire night scenes in band 6. A TM scene has an Instantaneous Field Of View (IFOV) of 30m x 30m in bands 1-5 and 7 while band 6 has an IFOV of 120m x 120m on the ground.

TM Bands

Band Number µm Resolution
1 0.45-0.52 30 m
2 0.52-0.60 30 m
3 0.63-0.69 30 m
4 0.76-0.90 30 m
5 1.55-1.75 30 m
6 10.41-12.5 120 m
7 2.08-2.35 30 m

TM Technical Specifications

  • Sensor type: opto-mechanical
  • Spatial Resolution: 30 m (120 m – thermal)
  • Spectral Range: 0.45 – 12.5 µm
  • Number of Bands: 7
  • Temporal Resolution: 16 days
  • Image Size: 185 km X 172 km
  • Swath: 185 km
  • Programmable: yes

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