Sentinel-2
36 articlesWatching a Place: Measuring a Number vs Watching for Events
Continuous satellite monitoring splits into two jobs that get confused constantly — measuring a quantity over a polygon and watching an area for events. Which one you set up decides whether your watch says nothing or says too much.
2026-08-23 · 7 min read
A Field Guide to Free Satellite Data Sources: Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, VIIRS, and NASA FIRMS
Four open satellite data sources cover most monitoring needs — but each one sees the world differently. This guide explains what Sentinel-1 SAR, Sentinel-2 optical, VIIRS nighttime lights, and NASA FIRMS active fire each measure, and how to pick the right one.
2026-06-19 · 5 min read
The Landsat Program: A Complete Guide to 50+ Years of Earth Observation
Landsat is the longest continuous record of Earth's surface from space, running since 1972. Learn how Landsat 8 and 9 work, what their OLI and TIRS sensors measure, how the 30m archive enables long-term change detection, and how Landsat compares to Sentinel-2.
2026-06-18 · 5 min read
Harmonized Landsat Sentinel (HLS): One Consistent Time Series from Two Sensors
HLS merges Landsat 8/9 and Sentinel-2 into a single, atmospherically corrected 30m dataset with 2-3 day revisit. Learn how harmonization works, what HLSL30 and HLSS30 contain, and when a fused time series beats a single sensor.
2026-06-17 · 5 min read
Multi-Index Satellite Monitoring: Why One Sensor Is Never Enough
Monitoring a site with a single index misses events that only appear in other data streams. Combining NDVI, SAR backscatter, NDWI, and nighttime lights for the same polygon creates a complete picture that no single sensor can provide.
2026-04-12 · 8 min read
Wildfire Recovery Monitoring: From Burn Scar to Regrowth
Post-fire vegetation recovery is one of the most revealing applications of satellite time series monitoring. NBR and NDVI together track the complete trajectory from fire damage through initial regrowth to mature vegetation recovery, revealing ecological resilience and identifying areas at risk of degradation.
2026-04-08 · 8 min read
Coastal Change Monitoring with NDWI and SAR Time Series
Coastal zones are among the most dynamic and threatened environments on Earth. NDWI time series from Sentinel-2 and SAR from Sentinel-1 together provide continuous monitoring of shoreline change, mangrove extent, coral reefs, and tidal dynamics. Learn how to set up multi-index coastal monitoring.
2026-04-06 · 8 min read
Seasonal Crop Monitoring with NDVI Time Series: From Planting to Harvest
NDVI time series from Sentinel-2 reveals the complete crop growth cycle — planting date, peak canopy, stress events, and harvest timing. Learn how to set up crop monitoring, identify the key phenological stages, and detect anomalies that signal crop failure or irrigation problems.
2026-04-05 · 12 min read
Forest Health Monitoring with NDVI and SAR Vegetation Indices
Combining Sentinel-2 NDVI with Sentinel-1 SAR indices like RVI and RFDI provides comprehensive forest health monitoring that works through clouds. Learn how optical and radar time series complement each other to detect deforestation, degradation, and stress before it becomes visible to the naked eye.
2026-04-02 · 8 min read
Monitoring Water Surface Changes with NDWI and MNDWI Time Series
NDWI and MNDWI time series from Sentinel-2 track changes in open water extent, reservoir levels, and flood dynamics. Learn how to set up water body monitoring, interpret seasonal patterns, and detect anomalies like drought drawdown or sudden flooding.
2026-04-01 · 7 min read
Vegetation Index Time Series Monitoring with Sentinel-2
NDVI, EVI, SAVI and other vegetation indices from Sentinel-2 are most powerful when tracked over time. Learn how time series monitoring reveals seasonal cycles, stress events, and long-term trends in forests, croplands, and grasslands.
2026-03-20 · 8 min read
How to Monitor Any Area with Satellite Time Series: A Complete Guide
Area monitoring with satellite time series lets you automatically track changes in any region over weeks, months, or years. Learn how to set up a monitoring zone, choose the right index, and interpret results using Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, and VIIRS data.
2026-03-19 · 11 min read
SAR vs Optical Satellite Imagery: A Practical Guide to Choosing the Right Sensor
SAR and optical satellites measure fundamentally different things. This guide explains the physics, strengths, and limitations of each — and when to combine them for better results.
2026-02-10 · 6 min read
Water Quality Monitoring with Sentinel-2: From Turbidity to Algal Blooms
How to use Sentinel-2 multispectral data to assess water quality parameters including turbidity, chlorophyll-a concentration, suspended sediments, and harmful algal blooms. Band ratios and practical interpretation.
2026-01-20 · 9 min read
Coastal Erosion Monitoring from Satellites: Tracking Shoreline Change
How satellite imagery tracks coastal erosion, shoreline retreat, and sediment transport over time. Covers waterline extraction methods, sub-pixel accuracy techniques, and long-term change analysis with Landsat and Sentinel-2.
2026-01-19 · 8 min read
Chlorophyll and Red Edge Bands: Sentinel-2's Secret Weapon for Crop Health
How Sentinel-2's three red edge bands detect chlorophyll content, nitrogen stress, and early crop health problems that standard NDVI misses. Practical indices and interpretation tips for precision agriculture.
2026-01-16 · 8 min read
SAR-Optical Data Fusion: Getting More from Two Sensors Than Either Alone
How to combine SAR radar and optical satellite imagery for better land cover mapping, change detection, and cloud-gap filling. Covers pixel-level, feature-level, and decision-level fusion approaches.
2026-01-09 · 10 min read
Dealing with Clouds in Sentinel-2 Data: Masking Techniques That Work
Practical approaches to cloud masking in Sentinel-2 imagery. Learn how to use the Scene Classification Map, build cloud-free composites, and handle the persistent challenge of cloudy pixels in optical remote sensing.
2026-01-02 · 7 min read
Beyond True Color: Sentinel-2 Band Combinations Worth Knowing
Sentinel-2 has 13 spectral bands, but most people only use RGB. This post covers the most practical band combinations for agriculture, water, urban mapping, and geology — and explains why each one works.
2025-12-28 · 8 min read
Sentinel-2 vs. Landsat 9: A Practical Comparison for Earth Observation
A detailed comparison of Sentinel-2 and Landsat 9 — spectral bands, resolution, revisit, data access, and which sensor suits which application. Covers harmonization approaches for combined use.
2025-12-27 · 6 min read
False Color Composites: How to Read Satellite Images That Don't Look Real
A visual guide to false color satellite image composites. Learn why remote sensing analysts use non-natural color combinations and how to interpret common composites like color infrared, SWIR, and urban false color.
2025-12-25 · 8 min read
Free vs. Commercial Satellite Imagery: What You Actually Get for the Price Difference
Free satellite data from Copernicus and Landsat covers most use cases, but commercial imagery offers higher resolution and faster revisits. This post breaks down what each tier provides and when the upgrade is worth it.
2025-12-22 · 8 min read
Sentinel-2: The Complete Guide to Europe's Free Multispectral Satellite
Everything you need to know about Sentinel-2 — its 13 spectral bands, 10-meter resolution, 5-day revisit cycle, data access, and practical applications from vegetation monitoring to urban mapping.
2025-12-16 · 8 min read
Satellite Imagery for Agriculture: What Actually Works at Field Scale
Satellite data is transforming precision agriculture, but not every sensor or index is useful for every crop. This guide covers what works, what doesn't, and how to build a practical field monitoring workflow.
2025-12-14 · 7 min read
Understanding NDVI: How to Monitor Vegetation Health from Space
A comprehensive guide to NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) — what it measures, how to interpret values, and practical applications for agriculture, forestry, and environmental monitoring.
2025-12-03 · 5 min read
Atmospheric Correction: Why Raw Satellite Images Need Processing
What atmospheric correction does, why it matters for satellite data analysis, and what happens if you skip it. A practical explanation of TOA reflectance, BOA reflectance, and when correction is critical.
2025-11-15 · 8 min read
Forest Type Classification from Satellite Imagery: Mapping What Grows Where
How satellite multispectral and SAR data classify forest types — coniferous vs. broadleaf, evergreen vs. deciduous, species groups. Covers spectral and phenological approaches, accuracy expectations, and global forest type maps.
2025-11-01 · 10 min read
Solar Farm Detection and Mapping from Satellite Imagery
How satellite data identifies and monitors solar photovoltaic installations using spectral signatures, geometric patterns, and change detection. Covers mapping methods, global datasets, and applications in energy transition monitoring.
2025-09-24 · 7 min read
Mangrove Mapping with Satellite Imagery: Protecting Coastal Forests from Space
How satellite data maps mangrove extent, monitors loss and recovery, and supports conservation of these critical coastal ecosystems. Covers optical, SAR, and combined approaches.
2025-08-12 · 7 min read
Coral Reef Monitoring from Space: Mapping Underwater Ecosystems with Satellites
How satellite imagery penetrates shallow water to map coral reef extent, health, and bleaching events. Covers water column correction, spectral indicators of bleaching, and the Allen Coral Atlas.
2025-08-03 · 10 min read
Geological Mapping from Space: Iron Oxide and Clay Mineral Detection with Sentinel-2
SWIR bands on Sentinel-2 can detect mineral absorption features invisible to the naked eye. This guide covers iron oxide and clay indices for geological exploration and environmental assessment.
2025-07-25 · 5 min read
Snow and Ice Monitoring from Space: How NDSI Maps the Cryosphere
The Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI) exploits the unique spectral signature of snow — high visible reflectance but strong SWIR absorption. This guide explains the physics, practical workflow, and common pitfalls.
2025-07-14 · 7 min read
Satellite Image Difference Analysis: A Step-by-Step Practical Guide
Difference analysis compares two satellite images from different dates to reveal what changed. This guide walks through the complete workflow — from selecting images to interpreting results — with tips for avoiding common mistakes.
2025-07-02 · 6 min read
Crop Type Mapping with Satellite Imagery: Telling Wheat from Corn from Space
How multi-temporal satellite data enables crop type identification and mapping at field scale. Covers phenological signatures, classification approaches, and accuracy expectations for different crop types.
2025-06-18 · 9 min read
MNDWI and NDWI Explained: Mapping Water Bodies from Space
What is MNDWI? MNDWI = (Green - SWIR) / (Green + SWIR) separates water from built-up land better than NDWI. This guide covers both water indices — formulas, Sentinel-2 bands, and when to use each.
2025-06-09 · 7 min read
EVI vs NDVI: When NDVI Isn't Enough for Vegetation Analysis
NDVI is the most popular vegetation index, but it saturates over dense canopy and is sensitive to soil background. EVI and SAVI solve these problems. This guide explains when to use each index.
2025-06-03 · 6 min read