Mar 23 2007
Where Is Bin Laden? Check Google Maps
I found this post describing how you can go to Google Maps to see high resolution images of where Bin Laden might be hiding out. I entered “Pakistan” and selected ‘hybrid’ so I could get satellite images with general map outlines and navigate my way around. If you zoom in you will find certain areas have crystal clear clarity and others are low resolution. The author postulates this is because the CIA has requested (and paid for) high definition images of regions where Osama Bin Laden might be. Well, the US government has assets with much higher fidelity than these so I am not buying that as the sole reason or the reason at all. It is just as possible the media or other governments paid for the service, there is a $25 million bounty on his head. I know a little about these companies and they will take the pictures if paid, and they are not that expensive. But it is cool to see certain areas on the Afghan-Pakistan border where all the action is with high clarity. Try it out.
AJ: the best resolution on those Google maps, is usually 3 meters; I’ve heard some commercial resolution, is now down to 1 meter.
The resolution on US strategic assets is MUCH better; I can’t tell you how much, I know, but I can’t tell you; but those rumors are just completely bogus!
Dale,
I know how good the resolution might be – you just have to think about turning Hubble around and focus on earth 350 miles away instead of galaxies billions of miles away. That is why I was not buying the story line. But clearly someone is paying for the updated imagery.
A funny side note; some years ago, in of all places, TIME magazine, there was an article about the SR-71 spyplane (I’m dating myself, I know!), and how great it’s imagery capabilities were, supposedly it could find a “mailbox” sized object on the ground!
A reader wrote in the next week, and lamented: “Too bad the US Postal Service couldn’t buy a few of those Spyplanes, in order to find MY mailbox….”!
R/dale
Dale
I used to watch Blackbirds take off from Okinawa and always marveled how when lining up on the runway they were leaking JP5 like a sieve on takeoff , since they would refuel before heading out.
Seems they would stop the leaks when the piping would change size due to the cold temperatures at it’s operating altitude.
Don’t worry about dating yourself my man I still remember the U2 when it was operational.
AJ
It’s not just Pakistan, fire up google earth and look at all the new stuff in Iran.
Merlin,
I did!