Baghdad Burns: satellite photo

MODIS RR ^ | 3/31/03

[ctdonath2]

MODIS photographs the entire planet every day. This is the 250m-per-pixel view of Baghdad, showing long smoke plumes.

[freedomlover]

I really don't like that wind direction.

[smith288]

On a beautyful day in Iraq, Baghdad is covered in a blackened ceiling for no reason at all.

[smith288]

I think the win is usually from N to S. During the Sandstorm it was oddly S to N.

[ChemistCat]

250 METERS per pixel? I've never seen a scale defined as units-per-pixel before but it's a very good idea.

I just want to make sure I'm understanding you correctly. Thank you very much for the post.

[green team 1999]

it must be the burning oil trenches by the iraqis, trying to block view for laser guided bombs,( but we are using many bombs with gps guidance!)ha.

[ken5050]

It looks like a golf course with a really, REALLY BIG sand trap...

[SolutionsOnly]

"I really don't like that wind direction".

Agreed. If it were in the opposite direction it would reduce the Chem/Bio threat a little. How much, I don't know, but every litle bit helps.

[kinghorse]

You nailed it. I was told by people knowledgeable in war matters that the smoke from oil fires was initiated to give the Iraqis a clear signal of which way the wind would be blowing when they let loose with the chemical artillery barrage. Personally I do not think they will do it. It would be the opening we need to expand this war.

[ctdonath2]

Yup, each pixel shows 250 meters. Not bad for free satellite photos less than 24 hours old.

[Lokibob]

when using a satellite photo, it is always defined as units/pixel. It means that the smallest thing seen in the photo is (in this case) 250 meters square.

Some of the satellite photos seen on the net have a resolution of 1 meter/pixel. Automobiles can plainly be seen.

Not sure if the address of the satellite pictures was posted, so here it is again:
http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/

[monocle]

No way. The Iraqis are emoloying a new communications system known as smoke signals.

[Lokibob]

There is nothing current on space imaging . com, but the pictures are great on that web site.

During times of military manuvers like Afghanistan, DoD buys all of their products and classifies them.

[Lokibob]

I'm not going to post this picture because it is very big, but this is a spaceimaging.com picture of downtown Baghdad taken just days before the war started. It is in 1 meter/pixel resolution.
http://www.spaceimaging.com/gallery/top10_2002/Baghdad_Sijood_10_7_02_SIME.jpg

I have saved it and wait patiently for the after picture to be released.

[ChemistCat]

Thanks. Learn something new everyday.

[wretchard]

You can see the telltale kink in the Tigris about 4 cm down and 6 cm to the left of the top right hand corner. That's downtown Baghdad. The Karbalah gap, where 3rd ID is striving with Medina is 15 cm to the right and 4 cm up from the lower left hand corner.

About 3 cm up and 4 cm left of the lower right hand corner, you'll see Al Hillah, where the Euprates forks out to peter out into a swamp called the Shall Al Hillah. Those interested in the northern front will note the track of the Euphrates north, until it disappears right in the upper left hand corner. You will note how the belt of vegetation thins as it goes north past the lakes, making it easier to cross. The land beyond is also open, and indeed the belt of vegetation (tactical cover) is thinnest to the northwest of Baghdad.

[Cincinatus]

Here's a great picture of precision bombing at work:

Basra, Iraq -- 20 Sept. 2001 and 23 March 2003