Comparative Temporal Satellite Maps
Compare satellite imagery across time or spectral indices with 8 layer types: RGB (true color), NDVI (vegetation), NDWI (water), NDMI (moisture), LST (land surface temperature), Night LST, Light Pollution, and UTFVI (urban thermal). Choose between Temporal mode (fix one layer type, compare up to 6 years from 2017 onward) or Spectral mode (fix one year, compare up to 6 indices side by side). Visualize results in four interactive modes: Grid (synchronized pan and zoom with per-map opacity sliders), Swipe (drag a divider between two layers), Timeline (animate through years in temporal mode), and Opacity (blend two layers with an adjustable slider). Draw a polygon or search an address to define your area of interest — up to 100 hectares without registration. Real-time generation progress tracks each layer individually, with the option to view partial results before all layers complete. Download individual map images as PNG or all layers as a ZIP archive. Generate professional HTML reports with cover page, table of contents, site information, comparison gallery, and methodology section — editable in a built-in editor and exportable to DOCX. Share analysis links with colleagues who can view the full visualization at zero credit cost. Analysis history is persisted both locally and server-side for authenticated users, with one-click restoration of previous comparisons.
Who Uses This Tool
Professionals who rely on this analysis
Environmental Consultant
Monitor vegetation changes (NDVI), water body evolution (NDWI), and land surface temperature trends (LST) over time. Generate HTML/DOCX reports with comparison galleries and methodology sections for Environmental Impact Assessments.
Urban Planner
Track urban expansion, green space loss, and heat island development using temporal RGB, LST, and UTFVI comparisons. Use Grid and Swipe views for clear before/after evidence in planning documents and share links with stakeholders.
Land Manager / Agronomist
Compare NDVI and NDMI across growing seasons to assess crop health, irrigation effectiveness, and soil moisture trends. Use Timeline mode to animate changes across multiple years and download results as ZIP for GIS integration.
What you can do
How it works
Define your area
Draw a polygon on the interactive map or search for an address. Areas up to 100 hectares are available without registration. Previous analyses appear in the sidebar for quick re-access.
Configure the comparison
Choose Temporal mode (fix a layer type like NDVI and select 2-6 years) or Spectral mode (fix a year and select 2-6 indices from RGB, NDVI, NDWI, NDMI, LST, Night LST, Light Pollution, UTFVI). The cost estimator shows credits required before generation.
Generate and track progress
Layers are generated in the background with real-time progress tracking. View partial results as soon as the first layers complete, or wait for all maps to finish. A skip-to-results button appears after 15 seconds if some layers are ready.
Visualize, download, and share
Explore results in Grid, Swipe, Timeline, or Opacity view. Download individual PNGs, a ZIP of all layers, or generate a professional HTML report editable in a built-in editor and exportable to DOCX. Share a link so colleagues can view the full analysis at no cost.
Data Sources & Methodology
Satellite comparison layers are generated from Copernicus Sentinel-2 and ERA5 data, processed through 3Bee's cloud-free compositing pipeline. Each layer type captures a specific environmental dimension — vegetation, water, moisture, temperature, or light pollution — enabling temporal and spectral analysis at high resolution across years from 2017 to the present.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about this tool
1What is the Satellite Comparison tool?
It lets you compare satellite imagery using 8 layer types (RGB, NDVI, NDWI, NDMI, LST, Night LST, Light Pollution, UTFVI). You can compare the same layer across different years (Temporal mode) or different indices for the same year (Spectral mode). Results are displayed in four interactive views: Grid with per-tile opacity sliders, Swipe with a draggable divider, Timeline animation, and Opacity blending.
2What comparison modes are available?
There are two modes: Temporal and Spectral. In Temporal mode you fix one layer type (e.g., NDVI) and compare it across 2 to 6 different years from 2017 to the current year. In Spectral mode you fix one year and compare 2 to 6 different layer types (e.g., RGB vs. NDVI vs. LST) for the same period.
3What visualization views can I use?
Four views are available. Grid shows all layers side by side with synchronized pan and zoom, plus individual opacity sliders for each tile. Swipe places two layers on the same map with a draggable divider. Timeline animates through years for temporal comparisons. Opacity blends two layers with an adjustable slider. Swipe and Opacity require exactly 2 layers; Timeline is only available in Temporal mode.
4What download and report formats are available?
You can download individual map images as PNG files or all layers at once as a ZIP archive. Professional HTML reports include a cover page, table of contents, site information, comparison configuration, map gallery, methodology, and disclaimer sections. Reports open in a built-in editor for customization and can be exported to DOCX format.
5How much does a comparison cost?
Each layer type x year combination costs 0.4 credits. A Temporal comparison with 1 layer across 4 years costs 1.6 credits. A Spectral comparison with 3 indices for 1 year costs 1.2 credits. The tool shows a cost estimate before generation. On signup you receive 10 free credits. Additional packages start from 19.90 EUR.
6Is there an area limit?
Without registration you can compare areas up to 100 hectares. With a free account and credits, there is no enforced maximum. Credit cost is based on the number of layers and years selected, not the area size.
7Can I share my comparison and restore previous analyses?
Yes. Each completed comparison generates a shareable link. Recipients can view the full visualization, switch between all four view modes, and explore results at no credit cost. Your analysis history is saved both locally and server-side, so you can restore any previous comparison with a single click from the sidebar.
8What happens if generation takes a long time?
The tool tracks generation progress in real time, showing which layers are ready. After 15 seconds, if some layers have completed, a skip-to-results button appears so you can start exploring partial results immediately. Missing layers continue generating in the background and appear automatically when ready. Some layer types (Night LST, UTFVI, NDMI, Light Pollution) are flagged as slower to set expectations.
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