Dating Google Earth Satellite Image with 5 Minutes Accuracy
Google Earth‘s images consist of a number of satellite images taken at various times. It is an ultimate challenge to find out, when exactly a certain picture has been taken. When I first tried Google Earth a couple of days after its launch, I noticed, the city of Bern, Swiss Capital, was not included in high resolution map yet. After a couple of months though, I found out, that Bern had been added to the high resolution images. Soon after, I began to wonder, at what time the picture had been taken. Here is how I found out: I needed to find a place on the map, that was not only constantly changing, but its change must also have been recorded and accessible to me. This was quite a challenge, however, I have found something, that perfectly suits the requirements. It was a construction site in the north of the city. The former “Wankdorf Stadion” (sic.) now referred to as “Stade de Suisse” is a football stadium, that has been built during the time, the satellite image has been taken. I remembered, that there was also a webcam on site, that was recording the progress of the construction site. Luckily I have found the archive of these images and started comparing the pictures (that were taken every 5 minutes during 3 years) with the image visible on Google Earth. Since the vehicles are constantly moving on the site, you can determine at a approximately 5 to 10 minutes accuracy, when the satellite image must have been taken. There is a number of elements, that indicate the time and allowed me to narrow down the time:
- Looking at the casted shadows of the cranes and tall objects led me to the assumption, the picture must have been taken at noon.
- The weather needs to be clear and cloudless in order to take satellite images
- The progress of the construction site is a good indicator
- The constellation and colors of the parked cars are also changing
So I started comparing the satellite image with the images found on http://www.wankdorf-stadion.ch/fotos/ which consists of more than 6 GB of webcam pictures taken and archived every 5 minutes 24/7. Conclusion The result of this small investigation was: The satellite image of Bern on Google Earth must have been taken between 11:25 hours and 11:30 on January the 30th 2002. Compare the Google Earth satellite image with this image. 
Full size view of analysis Animation of the 30th January 2002. Notice the red car at the far right leaving between 11:25 and 11:30. It is visible on the satellite image. 
How about other days? Too cloudy, progress with construction site not in sync or parked cars don’t match: 
Download KMZ of Wankdorf Stadion (Google Earth) Thanks: Hansjuerg Wenger of Berner Fachhochschule for providing me access to the archive images. digg story Update: Thanks to James Turnbull for pointing out that there is a proof that I got the date right!
41 Responses to 'Dating Google Earth Satellite Image with 5 Minutes Accuracy'
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
on June 27th, 2006 at 8:20 am
Impressive. I marked the place over Google Maps, using our bookmarking tool Tagzania. Until now, the most precise datation that I knew was that of a bullring in Spain, where a copter was caught hours or minutes before an accident involving a notorious politician happened.
on June 27th, 2006 at 10:50 pm
Cool, this is also a very nice find! … Hopefully more people will find more clues how to date satellite images even more precisely!
on July 18th, 2006 at 12:25 pm
Though dating satellite images sounds like a somewhat nerdy spare time activity this is still very impressive
And nice… good job
on August 7th, 2006 at 11:47 am
That’s cool.. but I tell you cyberdating in webdate is way better.. lol!
on November 28th, 2006 at 6:35 pm
Hi All Experts,
Does anyone use google earth images as ground image planes for use in aerial scenes. I know how to stitch them together but are there any tools or tricks to make sure that the images are at the same height, angle and such to make sure they stitch well. I know in the pro version you can get bigger images but im not going to pay for the pro version when i could stitch multiple images together…
on March 13th, 2010 at 3:04 am
Great blog and post, keep it up i will be subscribing to your feed!
on September 6th, 2010 at 3:58 am
I feel silly writing this but GOOD JOB! What you wrote is so complete that I honestly have NO COMMENTS.
on February 27th, 2011 at 11:25 am
Resources Expedition Medicine Amp Leadership phentermine 37.5 Doctors usually prescribe Phentermine when they believe that without weight loss the patient is at a higher risk of more severe medical conditions. http://www.medinacountyjuvenileprobatecourt.com/ – buy phentermine 37.5 mg
on February 27th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
Senekot Tablets purchase rogaine
Rogaine is classified as a antihypertensive vasodilator.
http://socialprivy.com/ – discount rogaine
on February 27th, 2011 at 7:59 pm
Prescription Drug Online Forum generic phentermine online Phentermine is not considered a first course of action to induce weight loss. http://www.medinacountyjuvenileprobatecourt.com/ – purchase phentermine online
on February 27th, 2011 at 11:59 pm
New leaked photos! justin bieber and selena gomez kissing in bed! Look hare , http://www.cledit.com
on May 8th, 2011 at 2:35 am
98MtU1 http://gdjI3b7VaWpU1m0dGpvjRrcu9Fk.com
on June 9th, 2011 at 10:03 am
You made some clear points there. I did a search on the subject matter and found most guys will go along with with your site.
on June 12th, 2011 at 8:03 am
It’s serious Asian Nymphets
vcpn Free Young Nymphets Galleries
:OOO Nymphet Gallery
bcs Nymphets Family
%[[ Child Nymphets
919 Cute Little Nymphets
30594 Topless Nymphet
mvlml Bbs Nymphets
>:]]] Naked Nymphet
=)) Ukrainian Nymphet
:-]] Nymphet Russian
=P Virgin Nymphets
8OOO Preteen Nymphet Models
eaik Little Nymphets Tgp
8[[[ Nymphet Girls
741405 Ls Nymphets
>:-[[ Lolita Preteen Nymphets
8-[[ Naked Nymphet Forum
8-DDD Extreme Nymphets
8(( Hot Nymphets
8-[
on June 14th, 2011 at 9:54 pm
comment5, does fioricet expire, 8]]], buy fioricet medication online, ybau, not expensive fioricet generic overnight delivery, qudoxn, difference between xanax and fioricet, :OO, online overnight shipping fioricet, sqnpx, buy fioricet no prescription needed, %-(, pharmacy without prescription that takes american express fioricett, 148589, where can i buy fioricet in the uk, %[[[, street price for fioricet pills, 668, legal online fioricet without prescription, lycj, fioricet, :]], not expensive fioricet next day shipping, kbyry, fioricet erowid prescription from doctors online, 893108, fioricet ultracet, 548, cod shipped fioricet, 71180, buy soma fioricet same day, heerrt, buy no prior perscription fioricet, 817988, fioricet p medication, sbnyqm, what is fiorecet, %PPP, fioricet fed ex cheap,
), cheap buy fioricet, =],
on June 20th, 2011 at 9:38 pm
good material thanks easy bbs links zrrr metal bikini girls 35414 little girls tpg dxutsy cute teen nurse =-))) prabal ranchi qggq bikini adult pics 88223 keep child 523 christine’s virgin slit bafx verylittlenakedgirls xzd illegal cunt pictures wvuu youn bbs girls acgb katie homes bikini =((( slingshot bikini pics =-[[[ linsey bikini 8-(( child rape 69 19351 billabong bikini girls 2706 free xxx virgins 02115 bbs wheels uk 3808 little teen stars 8( kbook bbs gateway
P
on August 6th, 2011 at 3:38 am
What’s the exchange rate for euros? Free Young Lolita Gallery
1646 Naked Art Lolita Nude
irolyo Naked Gallery Lolita Bbs
ulohv Top Lolita Nude Art
eprbo 100 Non Nude Lolitas
590 Nude Lolita Nymphets Models
%D Lolita Bbs Pics Portal
%-DDD Nude Lolita Bbs Pix
%P Preteen Model Lolly Pictures
yxxpsy Young Dolls Model Lolita
750 Charming Angels Lolitas Bbs
8[ Www Lolita Models Com
secv Pre Teen Loli Sex
tfcbpr Free Bbs Lolita Model
itryof Hot Young Lolita Virgins
pce Little Lola Nymphs Nude
995895 Asian Lolitas Nude Gallery
>:-O Nude Lolita Top List
:] Loli 12 Years Pedo
016744 Teenage Lolita Model Links
%((
on August 15th, 2011 at 2:59 am
Until August lolita toplist sun bbs >:-P prelolita little girlies nude dkkj free love lolita galleries 8-(( free holiday lolita pics ypnz lolitas 13 yo gallery 821353 lolita girls in lingerie
D lolita cp 10 photo 03843 preteen lolita thong pics 16177 young baby lolitas nude =-( top 100 lolita galleris >:-) 16 yo lolita videos =((( 12yr nude little lolitas >:-[[ russian teen lolita bbs hstem top sites lolita bbs uvwo lolitas nymphetts no nude spj lolita sex nude tgp =(( preteen models bbs lolita 05680 lolita nudists galleries nl pxodz lolita sex preteen pthc %-OOO nude loly boy models kdv
on August 25th, 2011 at 5:18 pm
Have you seen any good films recently? little loli child model >:-] very small pre lolita 8-]] no nude preteen lolitas yhkte ukrainian angels little lolita 860267 pre teen12yo loli bbs kjrjru free nude asian lolitas =( ukrainen legal lolita photos bbshl lolitas angel 14 yo qcsdkf model s lol ta =-( real pics lolita incest 2856 charming angels home lolita 8[ mini teen lolita nude nag preteen preteen lolita nudist >:-) no nude preteen lollas 33974 preteen incest lolitas stories 588152 lolitas dark portal com 267972 lolita nudes top sites :-] 13 14 lolita bbs 88653 pedo lolita pics net
djqtr lolita model preteen nude 80136
on September 7th, 2011 at 8:44 am
Could you send me an application form? bbs loli pthc
6042
on September 9th, 2011 at 3:15 am
A First Class stamp teen forums models =OOO
on September 20th, 2011 at 5:58 am
I want to make a withdrawal Preteen Nudist =[[
on September 22nd, 2011 at 9:20 pm
Who do you work for? Pedo Paysites >:[[
on September 22nd, 2011 at 11:51 pm
I’m unemployed Pedo Rape
PP
on September 25th, 2011 at 12:43 am
I really like swimming 13yo Teen Models
smig
on September 26th, 2011 at 3:40 am
It’s OK Kdz Pedo
8-[
on October 26th, 2011 at 4:46 am
Best Site good looking Sunny Lolitas
8D
on November 8th, 2011 at 5:58 am
I support Manchester United preteen bbs lolita gallery 99192
on November 8th, 2011 at 7:01 am
There’s a three month trial period Pthc Videos
bpg
on November 8th, 2011 at 7:15 am
Another service? my boy lollipop mp3 >:-)
on November 8th, 2011 at 9:08 am
I’m interested in Preteens Breasts Photos
>:-[[[
on December 6th, 2011 at 12:37 pm
I was wondering how everyone seems to be able to get free full movies over the Internet except for me! Okay, so now I know, finally. Here is a link to the information so that anyone can get all the movies that they want. If you don’t already know about this, go ahead and check it out: http://goo.gl/Cflpy
on January 5th, 2012 at 8:30 am
Hack again?!
on January 5th, 2012 at 8:37 am
CFG2 ugg boots OJM4 http://maximtravel.ro/blog/?p=1289
on May 3rd, 2012 at 12:00 am
Free medical insurance http://ujylecykeput.de.tl 11 youngchild models A great casual holiday fuck. Easy to imagine they have met by the pool and decided to screw one another. Although looking at the decor …. maybe this hotel doesn’t have a pool.
on May 4th, 2012 at 6:26 am
What’s the interest rate on this account? http://hohuluyma.de.tl sexy child modell Mark ashley is the shit i give that man all props he fucks the shit out of the girl in every video i see his dick in lol
on May 5th, 2012 at 7:36 am
How do you know each other? http://esubodijucim.de.tl lolkaz bbs oh come on, the guy can’t even give it to her hard enough. I’d bone the slutty bitch to hell and I’d make sure she’d know it
on May 5th, 2012 at 8:00 pm
I didn’t go to university http://tomiijafe.de.tl nn models blog My husband and I just watched this video. I have fucked other cocks for him, but I really want to try a BBC. I need to be filled with COCK. L and D
on May 6th, 2012 at 11:02 pm
Could I have a statement, please? http://lokybolyjaha.de.tl baby preteen insest what a great video. its always good to see a girl enjoying herself so much, the way it should be!
on May 7th, 2012 at 2:06 am
Get a job http://ualoeseqyq.de.tl chipper model 70580
the girl is deff one of the cutiest girls on here…very sexy, and can ride very well…get on my cock girl lol i wish
on August 2nd, 2012 at 3:26 pm
This is really interesting, You are an extremely skilled blogger. I have became a member of your feed and anticipate seeking more of the great post. Also, I have shared your website in my internet sites!…
There are no tips for success…