USGS (U.S. Geological Survey) EROS, Sioux Falls, SD
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Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS)



National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP)

Contents: San Diego, CA

Color-infrared NAPP photo
(San Diego, CA)

San Diego, CA

Black and white NAPP photo
(San Diego, CA)

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Product Description

The National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP) provides a standardized set of cloud-free aerial photographs covering the conterminous U.S. over five-to-seven year cycles. The program began in 1987 and continues to be our most recent and consistent source of high-quality aerial photographddddddddddddddy.

The photographs were acquired from an altitude of 20,000 feet and are available in black & white (B/W) or color infrared (CIR), depending on location and date. Each photo is centered on one-quarter section of a 7.5-minute USGS quadrangle, and covers approximately a 5.5 x 5.5 mile area.

Additional Information:

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Digital File Sizes & Prices

High Resolution Scanned - $30.00 per frame


High Resolution Scanned Product
Film Size Micron Size Black and white (B/W) Color-infrared (CIR)
9 × 9in 21 Micron(1200 dpi) * 117 MB 350 MB
14 Micron (1800 dpi) 262 MB 787 MB
7 Micron (3600 dpi) 1.3 GB Not Available**
Data available on DVD or via FTP Download.

* Denotes the recommended micron size.

** Color/CIR film source is not available at a 7 micron spot size because the file size is too large and/or there are no advantages below the 14 micron spot size.

The above sizes may vary due to scanning more than just image data. The files are created in TIFF format. With our policy to scan the surrounding metadata and the addition of the USGS logo the actual image size will generally be larger than the estimates above.

Medium Resolution Digitized - $3.00 per frame

Data available on DVD or via FTP Download.

The file sizes are approximately 15 megabytes for black and white images and 40 megabytes for color images. The files are stored in a TIFF format. The medium-resolution files are created at approximately 400 dpi.

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Search & Order

High Resolution Scanned:

All NAPP and NHAP photography can be searched and ordered on Earth Explorer, GloVis (a browse-based search engine), and PhotoFinder (a "quick and easy" search and order tool devoted solely to NAPP photos).


Medium Resolution Digitized:

All of the NAPP and NHAP imagery have been digitized. Products can be ordered on Earth Explorer, GloVis or PhotoFinder.

Other sources for searching and ordering:

NAPP and NHAP photography may also be ordered through the USDA Aerial Photography Field Office (APFO)

Businesses that can provide printed images from USGS digital data.

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