Welcome to the STELLA (Science and Technology Education for Land/Life Assessment) project. STELLA instruments are portable low-cost do-it-yourself (DIY) instruments that support science education, and outreach through scientific engagement, inquiry, and discovery while helping you understand Landsat better.
Landsat images are not just colorful and captivating, they are also precise spectral measurements that provide a scientific record of our planet.
But what exactly does that mean? And how does Landsat make these measurements?
Consider building a STELLA to find out for yourself…
Once assembled, the STELLA DIY spectrometers Q, 1.0, 1.1 and 2.0 versions can make 12 different spectral measurements the STELLA-Q2 can make 18 different measurements from violet/blue portions of the electromagnetic spectrum out to near infrared regions (beyond our range of vision). The STELLA 1.1 and 2.0 versions can also make surface temperature measurements of emitted thermal infrared energy like Landsat.
With STELLA in hand, students become citizen scientists making Landsat-like spectral measurements wherever they are.
STELLA instruments help students understand remote sensing technology, applications and the importance of sensor calibration, introducing them to the science of Landsat with a learn-by-doing approach.
With STELLA you can see how the spectral signature (or reflectance pattern) of a drought-stressed plant compares to a healthy one; how sediment-laden water differs from clear water; or how the temperature of a lush green field contrasts with an adjacent concrete sidewalk.
The STELLA-AQ, once assembled, combines carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulate matter (PM) monitoring capabilities in a user-friendly device.
Landsat satellite data has been instrumental in estimating air quality, particularly in measuring particulate matter (PM) concentrations like PM10 and PM2.5 across various urban areas globally. Studies spanning locations from Delhi, India, to Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Chinese cities have demonstrated the effectiveness of Landsat 8 and even older Landsat iterations like Landsat 5 in estimating these pollutants. These investigations have involved diverse methodologies, including empirical modeling based on multispectral data, comparisons with ground-based measurements using Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) data, and exploring spectral sensitivity for accurate PM estimation. The findings consistently underscore Landsat’s capability to predict and map PM concentrations, showcasing its versatility in aiding environmental studies, urban planning, and policy-making regarding air quality management and pollution control measures.
STELLA brings the foundational, space-based measurements of Landsat down to Earth.
Find freely available build plans, instructions, and activities on the website.
