InternetSAR.org

Tutorial: Initial Observers: Using InternetSAR.org and Google Earth

This tutorial provides step-by-step instructions for the basic usage of InternetSAR.org and Google Earth to request and review imagery assignments as an "Initial Observer."

Create an Account on InternetSAR.org

In order to participate in our efforts, you must create a free account on InternetSAR.org via our "Join Us" web page.

Activate Account via Confirmation Email

Upon creating an account via our "Join Us" web page, you will be emailed a confirmation email that contains a special web page link that must be used to confirm you provided a valid email address and to activate your account.  If you use spam filters, make sure they allow emails from @InternetSAR.org email addresses.

Download, Install and Configure Google Earth

In order to participate in our efforts you will need to download, install, and configure Google Earth to be able to review imagery we provide for search missions and to compare our new imagery against old imagery.  As its name suggests, Google Earth is a software application provided by Google.com, which can be downloaded for free.

• Download Google Earth
• Instructions for configuring Google Earth 

Log in to InternetSAR.org

Each time you want to participate in our efforts, you must log in to this website.  The first time you log in will be via the log in box provided when you use the account activation link in the confirmation email you receive.  After that you will log in via the log in box at the top of the left hand side bar.

Select Search Mission

Under "Active Search Efforts," near the bottom of the left hand side bar, select the search that you want to participate in.

Request Imagery Assignment

On the main page for the search mission you want to participate in, click on the "Get Automatically Assigned Imagery To Review Here" link. Although there are other ways to request imagery overlays, this one is the primary means of requesting imagery assignments. Requesting automatic assignments this way ensures a systematic review of imagery.

Downloading and Opening Imagery Assignment in Google Earth

When you request an imagery assignment overlay, you will usually be asked what you want to do with the file. Depending on which web browser you use, you will most likely see one of the following dialog prompts:

Internet Explorer Prompt

If you are using Internet Explorer you may see the prompt below.  If you do, click on "Open."

Firefox Prompt

If you use the web browser Firefox, you may see the prompt below.  If you do, select "Open with" and choose "Google Earth (default)." Then check "Do this automatically for files like this from now on." Then click "OK."

Downloaded Imagery Will Open in Google Earth

The requested new imagery overlay will be positioned over the same area of the older imagery in Google Earth.  Sometimes the alignment between old and new imagery is not exact due to the nature of the imagery being worked on, but we try to make imagery align as best as possible. The new imagery will normally look like a box of different images at the center of the imagery window. Imagery overlays that are at the edge of the master image set may not be a full nine image square.  These edge overlays may be of different shapes and/or much smaller than normal overlays.

Turning On and Off New Imagery or Components of Overlay

The ability to turn on and off an imagery overlay and/or components of an overlay is perhaps the most important feature we use in Google Earth.  While you are searching, you will need to toggle this check box off and on between the old and the new imagery to ascertain whether an object of interest is visible in the old imagery.  In addition, each overlay contains multiple images laid out in a grid pattern, which can be turned off and on independently by rows by unchecking the corresponding box.  You can also turn off the yellow pushpin pointer to see what is behind it.

You can turn on and off the requested imagery overlay or components of the overlay via Google Earth's left hand side bar. The imagery overlay that you requested will be listed under "Temporary Places" within the "Places" pane. The top overlay entry under "Temporary Places" will be the most recent imagery overlay you requested.  You can turn off the entire overlay and see the old imagery behind the overlay by unchecking the check box to the left of the imagery overlay you are working with.  Alternatively, you can turn off individual components of the overlay (e.g., the pushpin) independently. To do this, use the following two steps:

Expand Overlay Sub-folders

To control individual components of an overlay, click on the "plus sign" to the left of the overlay name to expand out sub-folders.

Uncheck Component to be Turned Off

To turn off individual components of an overlay, uncheck the corresponding check box for the item (e.g., uncheck the check box for "Pushpin" to turn off the yellow pushpin). The individual images that make up an imagery overlay are grouped in sub-folders by row.  You can either turn off an entire row of images by unchecking the individual row or expand out the sub-folder for the image row and uncheck the individual image.

Search Imagery Overlay Systematically

Imagery assignments need to be searched in a systematic pattern.  For example, search a strip several inches wide left to right like reading a book.  You can "scroll" the imagery overlay by either using the arrow keys on your keyboard or by putting your mouse cursor on the overlay and right click (hold the right mouse button down), it changes to a hand that is grasping the overlay.  Drag and quickly let go in the direction you are searching and the overlay with scroll automatically.  When you get to the end of the overlay, scroll down a few inches and search going back, right to left.  Continue in this fashion until you have searched the entire overlay. 

Zoom in and out on the overlay using the vertical navigation scale in the upper right corner of the screen.  Alternately, you can zoom with your scroll wheel on your mouse.  Zoom in to where you get the best focus.  Depending on the resolution of the imagery, this will be an "Eye Altitude" of between 500 and 1,000 feet. The dialog box that opens when the pushpin is clicked on will provide guidance as to the best "Eye Altitude" for a given imagery assignment.  "Eye Alt" is located in the lower right corner of the screen.

If you see an object of interest in the new imagery, uncheck the overlay under "Temporary Places" in the left hand side bar (as explained above) to see if the object is in the old imagery, which is several years old.  If the object of interest is in the old imagery, it wouldn't be the object we are searching for.  Sometimes the overlay doesn't line up exactly with the old imagery.  In this case, try to find a landmark common to both the old and new imagery to use for a reference point. If you find something that you think is of interest but cannot locate it in the old imagery, you should report it via the "Report Object" page provided for the search you are working on. 

Report an Object of Interest or Request a New Imagery Assignment

To report an object of interest or request a new imagery assignment, click on the yellow pushpin that is a part of imagery assignment overlay you are working with.  This will open a Google Earth dialog box, which will include a link for reporting an object of interest and a link for getting a new imagery assignment to review.  A list of helpful hints is also included in this dialog box. 

To report an object of interest, click on the link titled "Report Objects of Interest Here" and follow the instructions on the "Report Object" web page that opens in your web browser.  PLEASE NOTE: Reports for objects spotted in our imagery MUST be reported through our reporting system, which is set up to evaluate, track, and manage reports for SAR teams who are working with us.  DO NOT REPORT OBJECTS TO SEARCH TEAMS DIRECTLY as this can cause them distractions and could actually hinder their operations.

If you would like to request another overlay to review, click on "Get New Image Set To Evaluate."

When you have finished with an imagery assignment overlay, please turn it off by unchecking it in the left hand side bar under "Temporary Places" or deleting the imagery overlay from your "Temporary Places."  This will help conserve bandwidth resources and keep expenses down.