Natural Resources Canada
Government of Canada

Canada Centre for Remote Sensing

Tour Canada from space
Ottawa, Ontario
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Ottawa, Ontario
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This image is a popular, fused product, combining the spectral quality of Landsat TM with the spatial quality of SPOT. Much of the national capital region is shown in this pseudo-true colour image. It contains most of the cities of Ottawa, Ontario (below the large river) and Hull, Québec (above the large river) as well as adjacent smaller towns that make up the National Captial Region.

Many urban features can be identified by their colours or tones and shapes, including a railway yard, road and bridge networks, an airport, and several light industrial areas. Agriculture Canada's Central Experimental Farm is easily identified and is unique in its size and location in the heart of the city. The seat of Canadian Government, the Parliament Buildings can be located in the downtown core. The National Capital Region is known for its outdoor recreational opportunities which include 3 main rivers, many parks and green spaces as well a many golf courses and even a race track.




Question: Can you tell in which direction the main river is flowing?

Answer ]
 
About this Image
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
NTS map(s): 31 G/5 (1:50,000)
Location Map: Location Map See a detailed map (1:1M) of the region
Image Date: TM - June 1986 and PLA August 1987
Satellites/Sensors: Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) (Bands 7,2,1 displayed as R,G,B) fused with SPOT Panchromatic mode (PLA)
Resolution: 10 m pixels
Image Area: 14km by 12km (the more detailed images are approximately 7km by 7km)
Image Features: Urban, industrial, rivers and rapids, roads and bridges, agricultural, sports track, rail yard, quarry, canal, golf course, race track, airport
Related Tour Images: City by the Lake - Toronto, Ontario; Montréal, Québec; Downtown Vancouver, British Columbia; Calgary, Alberta; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Québec City, Québec
Related Glossary Terms: These terms from the CCRS Glossary may help you to understand this image and its interpretation:

additive colour, image texture, tone, brightness, contrast

Related Tutorial Sections: These sections of the "Fundamentals of Remote Sensing" tutorial by CCRS will help you to better understand this image and its interpretation:

2.3   2.8   2.12   4.8

Image Credits:
Landsat Data
Received by the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing
Processed by RADARSAT International Inc.
SPOT Data
Received by the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing
Processed by RADARSAT International Inc.
© CNES 1987

 
Additional
Information:
The nation's capital, Ottawa, Ontario is shown in this image. Landsat TM bands 7, 2,1, with a spatial resolution of 30 metres, were mathematically fused with a SPOT PLA image having a 10 metre resolution. The resulting image retains both the spectral (colour) resolution of the Landsat image but is represented and highlighted by the fine spatial resolution (10 metres) of the SPOT image. Because the Landsat and SPOT data were collected more than a year apart (Landsat in June 1986 and SPOT in August 1987), temporal effects can be seen in the image. Some parts of the image are not exactly the same for both image dates, with changes in vegetation and land use due to construction, being the most visible. The red colouration of some fields in the middle of the image (part of the Experimental Farm) reveals that the growing conditions or vegetation are different between the two scenes.

In the top centre-left portion of the image, the city of Hull, Québec is visible, identified by the representative grid patterns and lack of vegetation in the downtown area. A portion of the Gatineau Park, used for biking, skiing, swimming etc., can be identified to the left of the city of Hull and is characterized by large green areas. Some of the roads within the park can also be identified.

Below the Ottawa River is the nation's capital, Ottawa. Much of the city area is represented in this image. Clearly identified features include several bridges crossing the river, the downtown section, visible by its dense white grid pattern, the Rideau River and part of the Rideau Canal System, both flowing into the Ottawa River. The large red and green area near the middle of the image is Agriculture Canada's Experimental Farm. The differing tones in this area are representative of vegetation and non-vegetated areas and the type of crop being grown in each one.

The city street pattern is clearly identified in light tones and the characteristic grid patterns. The older parts of town are characterized by a true block or grid pattern while the newer subdivisions, away from the core, show a curvy pattern of avenues and cul de sacs. Industrial areas, usually represented by larger buildings and a lack of vegetation, can be seen at various locations in the image. The major roads and highways, especially the Queensway (Highway 417), can be identified by clover leafs and exit ramps associated with these features.

Can you also see the boat in the middle of the Ottawa River heading upstream? Its long wake should make it easy to find.

Question: Can you tell in which direction the main river is flowing?
Answer: The main river (the Ottawa River) is flowing from left to right across the image in a north-easterly direction. This is evident from the pattern in the water caused by rocks at the surface (rapids) that will disturb the water in the direction of the flow. You can see evidence of rapids in several locations along the river.

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