The wavelengths are approximate; exact values depend on the particular instruments (e.g. characteristics of satellite's sensors for Earth observation, characteristics of illumination and sensors for document analysis):
* Blue, 450–515/520 nm, is used for atmosphere and deep water imaging, and can reach depths up to  in clear water.
* Green, 515/520–590/600 nm, is used for imaging vegetation and deep water structures, up to  in clear water.
* Red, 600/630–680/690 nm, is used for imaging man-made objects, in water up to  deep, soil, and vegetation.
* Near infrared (NIR), 750–900 nm, is used primarily for imaging vegetation.
* Mid-infrared (MIR), 1550–1750 nm, is used for imaging vegetation, soil moisture content, and some forest fires.
* Far-infrared (FIR), 2080–2350 nm, is used for imaging soil, moisture, geological features, silicates, clays, and fires.
* Thermal infrared, 10,400–12,500 nm, uses emitted instead of reflected radiation to image geological structures, thermal differences in water currents, fires, and for night studies.
* Radar and related technologies are useful for mapping terrain and for detecting various objects.