1. What happened to the European and Asian imagery?
2. What is the relationship between http://terraserver.com and http://terraserver-USA.com?
3. Why is Microsoft TerraServer moving to TerraServer-USA?
4. How do I find a location using a street address?
5. Are there any restrictions on what I can do with the images that I download?
6. Why don't you have "X" place?
7. Why is some of the imagery so old?
8. Do I need to be concerned about my privacy?
9. Where can I learn more about the images?
10. How does latitude and longitude work?
11. How can I download images and order printed copies?

What happened to the European and Asian imagery?

When we launched TerraServer in June 1998, we had SPIN-2 imagery coverage of Europe, Asia, and other non-US locations. Our lease on the SPIN-2 imagery was for eighteen months through the Aerial Images firm located in Raleigh North Carolina. At the end of eighteen months (January 2000), Aerial Images decided to host their ow"n web site at http://terraserver.com. Since January 2000, TerraServer-USA (formally terraserver.microsoft.com) has hosted only USGS imagery of locations in the United States.

What is the relationship between http://terraserver.com and http://TerraServer-USA.com?

There is no current relationship between our site http://TerraServer-USA.com and http://terraserver.com. Previously, we worked with Aerial Images, Inc., a firm in Raleigh, NC, who provided our web site with SPIN-2 satellite imagery. Our relationship with Aerial Images was for eighteen months and ended in January 2000. In January 2000, Aerial Images launched the http://terraserver.com web site containing the SPIN-2 satellite imagery. At the same time, we dropped the SPIN-2 imagery from our web site and re-directed users to the http://terraserver.com site. The http://terraserver.com web site has changed hands several times. For further information about http://terraserver.com, contact terraserver.com support.

Why is TerraServer moving to TerraServer-USA?

From June 1998 through May 2003, TerraServer has been hosted by MSN and has been known as Microsoft TerraServer. TerraServer is no longer an MSN property. As part of the move to the new data center, Microsoft TerraServer has been re-branded as "TerraServer-USA" and has a new domain name, http://terraserver-usa.com, to unassociated with MSN. Please update your bookmarks and references to http://terraserver.microsoft.com, http://terraserver.homeadvisor.msn.com, and http://terraservice.net to http://terraserver-usa.com.

Note, http://terraserver-usa.com continues to be hosted by Microsoft.

Why don't you have "X" place?

We rely on the U.S. Geological Survey for our images, and they are in the process of photographing the entire United States, with the goal of having complete coverage in 2001. The program changed the schedule to have complete coverage by the end of 2002. The aerial photographs also need to be digitized before we can put them on TerraServer. This process is expensive and time consuming, and usually requires a "cooperator" who will fund the digitization of an area that's of interest to them. We don't have a timeline from the USGS for when we can expect images to receive images for specific places. We do receive new images every month from the USGS and load them on TerraServer almost as fast as we get them.

Do I need to be concerned about my privacy?

The photographs on the TerraServer Web site are taken with medium resolution cameras that are intended to identify geographical features. It's impossible to see people, difficult to see automobiles and you certainly can't read license plates! It's even challenging to identify individual houses. Also, the data is not live--the average age of the photos is about five years. And since there is only one image per location, there isn't any ability to see changes over time. With these restrictions, we believe that TerraServer provides valuable geographic information without infringing on anyone's privacy.

How does latitude and longitude work?

Latitude and longitude are a system of geometrical coordinates used in designating the location of places on the surface of the earth. Latitude gives the location of a place north or south of the equator, while longitude gives the location of a place east or west of a north-south line called the prime meridian. See our tutorial on latitude and longitude for further information.

You can search for maps and images on TerraServer using latitude and longitude coordinates with the Advanced Find Web page. You can obtain latitude and longitude coordinates for a location using GPS devices, and many maps show them as well.

How do I find a location using a street address?

You can search for images and maps on TerraServer using an address. Currently, TerraServer supports searching of U.S. addresses only. To search for an image or map at a specific address, click on the Advanced Find link in the blue toolbar located at the top of each TerraServer web page. On the Advanced Find page, click on the Address Search to open the Find Address web form.

The Find Address web form offers four fields: Street, City, State, and Zip code. Enter as many elements of the address that you know. Minimally you must enter all or part of the Street name. Optionally, you can also enter any combination of City, State, and Zip.

Why is some of the imagery so old?

The table at right shows the percentage of photographs taken for each year, from 1988 to 1998, as of November 2000.

TerraServer's images are provided by the U.S. Geological Survey's National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP). This program is responsible for photographing the entire United States, with the goal of having complete coverage in 2001.

Obviously, the photos need to be taken in good weather conditions...the terrain must be clear of clouds. And there are a limited number of aircraft available to take the photos. Because of these issues and financial constraints, the program must be planned over multiple years, with plenty of time to allow for unforeseen problems.

Where can I find learn more about the images?

See our tutorials on Aerial Photos and Aerial Survey.

How can I download images and order printed copies?

The images on TerraServer from the USGS are free for download and distribution. USGS images can be downloaded by clicking the Download button on TerraServer's image display page.

Additionally, you are able to order maps or images from the USGS for a modest fee. To order USGS products, click the "Download" icon or link located in the blue bar above the image. On the left side of the Download page in the "Related Links" section will be two links: "USGS DOQ Dealers" and "USGS Aerial Photo Dealers". Click on "USGS DOQ Dealers" to obtain a digital image. Click on "USGS Aerial Photo Dealers" to acquire a photograph of the desired location.

If you are viewing a topographical map, your options will be "USGS DRG Dealers" for a digital image of a topographic map and "USGS Map Dealers" for paper maps. For additional product information, click the USGS Digital Backyard link on the "Acquire USGS Data" page. For more information about the USGS, please visit the USGS National Mapping Information Web site.

Are there any restrictions on what I can do with the images that I download?

The images from the U.S. Geological Survey, and are freely available for you to download, use and re-distribute. The TerraServer team and the USGS appreciate credit for their work on this project by displaying the message "Image courtesy of the USGS".

TerraServer welcomes your comments. Please send any feedback to tsmailbx@microsoft.com.