Landsat band properties — what each band is good for (TM/ETM+ numbering).

• 1 (Blue, 0.45–0.52 µm) — coastal water mapping, soil/vegetation discrimination, forest type mapping, cultural features.
• 2 (Green, 0.52–0.60 µm) — vegetation ID and vigor (green reflectance peak), cultural features.
• 3 (Red, 0.63–0.69 µm) — chlorophyll absorption; plant species, soil/geologic boundaries, cultural features.
• 4 (NIR, 0.76–0.90 µm) — vegetation biomass, crop ID, soil/crop and land/water contrast.
• 5 (SWIR, 1.55–1.75 µm) — water in plants; crop drought, plant health; clouds vs. snow vs. ice.
• 6 (Thermal, 10.4–12.5 µm) — vegetation/crop stress, thermal mapping, thermal pollution, geothermal.
• 7 (Mid-IR, 2.08–2.35 µm) — rock/soil discrimination, soil and vegetation moisture.