Zoom View

March 29, 2003 6:31 PM

ZoomView is a satellite image of Baghdad from March 27th that allows zooming to the level of cars and individual trees and panning around the city. Data loads realtime called "sharpening". Other cool ZoomViews of Basra, Tikrit, North Korea nuclear reactor site, Qualcomm Stadium San Diego.
posted by stbalbach (11 comments total)

Another interesting Iraq situation map mentioned here previously and recently updated with NATO symbols.
posted by stbalbach at 6:42 PM on March 29, 2003

*sigh*

God forbid web content should be platform-neutral. Pass.
posted by Cerebus at 7:41 PM on March 29, 2003

windows only, or mac classic... :
requirements
posted by rhyax at 7:43 PM on March 29, 2003

Fantastically interesting, and a distinctly unsettling in the case of two of those shots.

It's pretty amazing what a little flying computer in space can actually see.

Nice post, stbalbach. Thanks!
posted by hama7 at 7:53 PM on March 29, 2003

Wow! That's cool!
posted by dejah420 at 9:21 PM on March 29, 2003

I figured it would suck, but that was actually pretty cool. I like the actual zooming instead of just replacing it with a higher mag picture.
posted by smackfu at 11:06 PM on March 29, 2003

yeah. this is a wicked link. fascinating. really, we shouldn't get blase about the amazing technology available today. this is like science-fiction. or something. it surprises me, aswell, the way journalists are allowed access to the iraqi high command. i mean, we might as well be in iraq, you know what i mean?
posted by mokey at 3:18 AM on March 30, 2003

Here are images of other places, by the same people. Curiously, non-zoomable.
posted by crunchland at 7:59 AM on March 30, 2003

Viewpoint will occasionally provide you automatic upgrades to the Software to improve your viewing experience. The Software automatically communicates with the Viewpoint component server on the internet to check for updates to the Software and Viewpoint partner's software, such as bug fixes, patches, enhanced functions, missing plug-ins and missing components. Viewpoint may download updates during these communications or when the Software detects a file that requires a component that is currently not installed. These upgrades will occur automatically and without any advance notification to you. Viewpoint may also place America Online icons on your desktop, which will provide you with a link to the America Online's internet service.

With this as at's license agreement I won't be viewing these pics on any computer I own.
posted by DBAPaul at 8:45 AM on March 30, 2003

The NYTimes has a java application that looks like it uses the same map but has more interactivity with zooming into known battle zones in Nasariya including "Ambush Alley" where the supply convoy took a wrong turn. Go to NYTimes Homepage click on "Interactive Graphics" then "Nasariya From Above"
posted by stbalbach at 8:47 AM on March 30, 2003

thanks stbalbach - cool link!
posted by madamjujujive at 9:35 AM on March 30, 2003