Planet Explorer Overview

last updated: April 26, 2024

Planet Explorer is an online tool used to search and analyze geospatial imagery, allowing you to see change across the planet over time. You can use Planet Explorer to search through an imagery catalog and either download full-resolution data or analyze hosted data in the browser.

Planet Explorer includes imagery from Planet’s catalog (PlanetScope, SkySat and RapidEye) as well as public imagery from Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8. Planet’s imagery is available at multiple cadences (ranging from daily scenes to weekly, monthly and quarterly basemaps), as well as at various resolutions (for example, SkySat is high-resolution and PlanetScope is medium-resolution).

Features Overview

  1. Search for Imagery: You can search for daily scenes and basemaps by typing in a location, uploading a geo file, drawing an area of interest on the map, or clicking on the timeline.

  2. View Catalog: You can view and filter on daily scenes in the catalog and also view basemaps.

  3. Analyze Data: You can analyze data by taking measurements on the map, comparing images side by side, enhancing pixels, or applying spectral visualizations.

  4. Order Hosted Data: You can order daily scenes for analysis in the browser (i.e. enhance pixels, spectral visualizations).

  5. Download Daily Scenes: You can download daily scenes by ordering directly from the app or by sourcing cURL requests for specific scene IDs if you prefer the API. You must purchase a plan to do so.

  6. Task a High-Res Image: You can task a High-Res image in the Tasking Dashboard, linked from Explorer. High-Res images are taken upon request and require a paid plan.

  7. Save your work: You can come back to your work and pick up where you left off.

  8. Manage Settings: You can manage preferences for coordinate systems or check on usage.

  9. Manage Account: You can manage your usage and organizations in your Account Page.

  10. Get Help: You can read about new features, take a tour, access the Help Center and the user guide at any time.

  11. Try Beta Features: You can try new, experimental features before they are officially released.

  12. FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions and their answers.

Rate this guide: