ASTER Digital Elevation Model – AST14DEM-Relative
May 24, 2006

The current ASTER Digital Elevation Model (DEM) product was implemented using new production software at the Land Processes DAAC starting on May 24, 2006. This is the final validated version of the DEM product derived using bands 3N and 3B from an ASTER Level-1A data set. All current ASTER DEM products are generated without using ground control points (GCPs).

Table of Contents

1. Where to get detailed information on this product
2. How to report problems
3. Description of this version
    * Product Quality
    * Problems and limitations
4. Version history

1. Where to get detailed information on this product

There are several useful sources of information:

• LP DAAC-provided product information:
  https://lpdaac.usgs.gov/lpdaac/products/aster_products_table/on_demand/digital_elevation_model/v1/ast14dem
• ASTER DEM Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (ATBD) provides details of the algorithm, constraints, and limitations:
  http://eospso.gsfc.nasa.gov/eos_homepage/for_scientists/atbd/docs/ASTER/atbd-ast-14.pdf
• ASTER Higher-Level Product User Guide provides details of each of the ASTER higher-level products including their metadata attributes, and science data fields:
  http://asterweb.jpl.nasa.gov/content/03_data/04_Documents/ASTERHigherLevelUserGuideVer2May01.pdf
• US ASTER website offers description of the ASTER instrument, data products, data acquisition mechanisms, activities of the US ASTER Science team etc.:
  http://asterweb.jpl.nasa.gov
• ASTER Level-1 User Guide:
  http://www.science.aster.ersdac.or.jp/en/index.html

2. How to report problems
 

To report a problem with the ASTER DEM product, please send an e-mail or call the LP DAAC User Services:

LP DAAC User Services
U.S. Geological Survey Center for
Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS)
47914 252nd Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57198-0001

Phone: 605-594-6116
Toll Free: 866-573-3222; 866-LPE-DAAC
Fax: 605-594-6963
Email: edc@eos.nasa.gov
Web: http://lpdaac.usgs.gov/

3. Description of this version

Product quality: The US Geological Survey completed a thorough validation of the new ASTER DEM product. The results from that validation indicate a much improved DEM product. The accuracy of the new DEMs meets or exceeds accuracy specifications set for the ASTER relative DEMs by the ATBD. Validation testing has further shown that DEMs frequently are more accurate than 25 meters RMSExyz.

Problems and limitations: Compared to ASTER DEMs previously available from the LP DAAC, users likely will note some differences in ASTER DEMs produced by the new system, because DEMs now are produced automatically, with no manual editing. Larger water bodies are detected and typically have a single value, but they no longer are manually edited. Any failed areas, while infrequent, remain as they occur. Cloudy areas typically appear as bright regions, rather than as manually edited dark areas.

4. Version History

Second version, released on May 24, 2006.