We're helping citizens to use balloons, kites, and other simple and inexpensive tools to produce their own aerial imagery of the spill… documentation that will be essential for environmental and legal use in coming years.
We're not trying to duplicate the satellite imagery or the flyover data (though we’re helping to coordinate some of the flyovers and trying to make sure the data is publicly accessible). We believe in complete open access to spill imagery and are releasing all imagery into the public domain.
You can see all of our data (raw images in .zip files, GeoTiffs, KML, OpenLayers, and Flickr feeds) available for download at http://grassrootsmapping.org/data/.
Browse some of our best imagery on Flickr.
And finally, if you're within range of the spill, sign up to help map:
Are you embroiled in an cartographic dispute? Do you disagree with the official version of your geography? Contact us at warren@mit.edu to start a grassroots mapping project today! Or read more in the...
Techniques and tools for people who want to make maps. Includes readings and case studies on grassroots mapping projects.
Also, join the Mailing List!
Instructions on how to use cameras on weather balloons to create high-resolution maps.
Want to start mapping? See the Balloon Mapping Materials List to get started.
