Frequently Asked Questions about the Landsat Missions

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Question:
What is the Worldwide Reference System (WRS)?

Answer:

The Worldwide Reference System (WRS) is a global notation used in cataloging Landsat data. Landsat 7 follows the WRS-2, as did Landsat 4 and Landsat 5. Landsat 1, Landsat 2, and Landsat 3 followed WRS-1.

Shapefiles for WRS-1 and -2 (path/row boundaries) are available to download.

Maps of WRS-2 ascending (nighttime) and descending (daytime) center points are available.

The WRS-2 Path/Row to Latitude/Longitude Converter tool allows you to enter any Landsat path and row to get the nearest scene center latitude and longitude coordinates.

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U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://landsat.usgs.gov
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Page Last Modified: 02/7/13 02:16 pm
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