Geospatial OSINT (Satellites, Maps, Photos)

From Resist Together Wiki

Geospatial OSINT (Satellites, Maps, Photos)[edit | edit source]

Using open-source imagery and mapping tools to verify, locate, and expose.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Geospatial OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) involves analyzing publicly available imagery and maps to extract information about events, locations, or actors. This includes satellite photos, street-level imagery, metadata from photos, and map overlays. Activists and researchers use it to:

  • Verify protest locations or incidents
  • Track environmental destruction
  • Confirm infrastructure changes or military movements
  • Analyze real estate or corporate assets

It is a powerful tool for accountability and documentation, especially when access on the ground is limited or unsafe.

How It Works[edit | edit source]

Geospatial OSINT combines tools and techniques to:

  • Geolocate where a photo or video was taken (by identifying landmarks, shadows, terrain, etc.)
  • Compare satellite imagery over time (change detection)
  • Analyze weather or time-of-day data to timestamp events
  • Extract metadata or reverse-image search

Often, multiple tools are combined for triangulation and verification.

Tools and Platforms[edit | edit source]

  • Google Earth Pro: Historical satellite imagery and terrain analysis
  • Sentinel Hub: Access free satellite imagery (Sentinel-2, Landsat, etc.)
  • Zoom Earth / NASA FIRMS: Real-time satellite monitoring (fires, storms)
  • Mapillary / OpenStreetMap: Crowdsourced street-level imagery and maps
  • EXIF.tools / PhotoMetadataViewer: Extract photo metadata (location, time, camera)
  • SunCalc: Estimate time based on shadow angles in imagery
  • Amnesty Decoders: Tools for analyzing remote human rights violations

Use Cases in Activism[edit | edit source]

  • Confirm airstrikes, demolitions, or deforestation via satellite before and after images
  • Map protest turnout using aerial photos
  • Verify police deployments or surveillance infrastructure
  • Track construction of pipelines, roads, or prisons
  • Support journalistic investigations with visual proof

Methods and Tips[edit | edit source]

  • Look for distinct geography (rivers, mountain shapes, city layouts)
  • Cross-reference video/photo content with maps and street view
  • Use time sliders in satellite tools to compare changes
  • Use weather archives and sun position to validate time of events

Limitations[edit | edit source]

  • Resolution of free imagery may be low (e.g., 10–30m/pixel)
  • Cloud cover, vegetation, or urban density can obscure details
  • Commercial imagery may be expensive or delayed
  • Metadata may be stripped from shared images

Ethics and Privacy[edit | edit source]

  • Blur faces and sensitive features when publishing annotated maps
  • Do not expose private homes or identities without clear justification
  • Avoid misinterpreting imagery — provide context and cite sources

Related Tools and Topics[edit | edit source]

Resources and Further Reading[edit | edit source]

Legal Disclaimer[edit | edit source]

This page is for educational purposes only. Satellite and map data used in OSINT must be responsibly interpreted and ethically shared. Avoid violating privacy or publishing misrepresentations. Always cite image sources and respect data licensing.

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