USGS Global Visualization Viewer

The USGS Global Visualization Viewer is a quick and easy online search and order tool for selected satellite and aerial data. When you open the USGS Global Visualization Viewer, you will see the Browse Image Viewer in the middle of the page:

This view shows a mosaic of the most recent cloud-free browse images around the point you selected. From here, you can begin to explore the other images from our archive:

Roam around on the earth's surface by clicking on either the arrow buttons or the global locator map near the top left of the display. You can also "shortcut" to a specific location by entering the desired WRS-2 "path" and "row" (WRS-1 for Landsat 1-3 data) or latitude and longitude.
Limit the scenes shown in the browse viewer by setting search limits. Select the "Tools" menu from the menu bar and then click "Search Limits...".
View the available images for the highlighted location with the "Prev Scene" and "Next Scene" buttons. You can also "shortcut" to a specific date by entering the month and year. The possible dates will be dependent upon the sensor, as well as the specific data in the USGS browse image inventory.
Scenes with high cloud cover can be excluded by adjusting the maximum cloud cover setting (via the "Max Cloud" drop-down menu).
To help determine where you are, select the "Map Layers" menu on the menu bar. You will then be able to view administrative boundaries, country boundaries, the collection grid, roads, water, north arrow, cities and other layers.
Show scenes from a different dataset from the Collection menu.
Limited "zoom in" and "zoom out" can be achieved by selecting the "Resolution" menu on the menu bar and clicking on the resolution to be viewed.

Creating a Scene List

When you discover a suitable scene, simply "Add" the highlighted scene to your Scene List at the lower left of the display.

Modifying the Scene List

To delete a scene from the Scene List, select the scene within the list and then click on "Delete".

Viewing Metadata & Browse

The metadata and/or browse image for any scene can be reviewed by selecting the "Show Metadata" or "Show Browse" options from various right-click popup menus.

Ordering or Downloading Data

When your scene list is complete, click on the "Send to Cart" button in the scene list dialog box or right-click on the scene list dialog box for a popup menu and select "Send to Cart". (NOTE: If you have selected scenes from different collections, you will need to Send to Cart separately for each collection).

For More Information

For more detailed instructions and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), please refer to Help.

Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices

U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://glovis.usgs.gov/QuickStart.shtml
Contact Information: custserv@usgs.gov | ASTER and MODIS questions: lpdaac@usgs.gov
Page Last Modified: 15 January 2013

Getting Started

Creating a Scene List

Modifying the Scene List

Viewing Metadata & Browse

Ordering or Downloading Data

For More Information