Satellite imagery helps you understand what’s happening on the ground, from above. There are loads of free tools out there. Here are 6 I actually use (and what each is best for). Thread 👇🛰️

1. Google Earth Pro = historical context. Best for: “What did this place look like before?” Use the historical imagery slider to spot change over time (damage, new builds, movement, land use).

3. Esri World Imagery Wayback = high-res comparisons. Always click for the actual capture date, basemap dates can mislead you.

4. ArcGIS Map Viewer (World Imagery) = clean, recent high-res + extra layers. Best for: getting the clearest freely viewable basemap, and then adding layers (lots of hidden gems like this NZ aerial imagery).

5. Apple Maps = alternative perspective (sometimes different imagery than Google and much more clear like these cars driving through Libya's desert). Best for: sanity-checking a location, and (in some cities) using strong 3D building models for context.

6. Bing Maps = another independent angle + sometimes detailed aerial. Best for: cross-checking what you’re seeing, and getting the aerial imagery (when it is available).

The real trick: use them together. My workflow would be something like: 1. Google Earth (history) 2. Copernicus (spectral/radar) 3. Wayback/ArcGIS (hi-res compare) 4. Apple/Bing (alt angles)