Digital Aerial Imagery and Orthophotographs

See the NC County GIS Data Directory for the following holdings and access links:

• Use the "Lib Web" links to see NCSU Libraries' holdings by year. Contact Data Services for access.
• Use the "Web Map" links to view imagery on county mapping websites.
• Use the "Dwnld" links to download imagery files from county websites, if offered.
• Use the "OM Orth" links to download imagery in MrSID format from NC OneMap.
• Use the ims file or WMS links to "stream" imagery into ArcMap or other viewing applications.

Also see webpages for Wake County, Raleigh, and NCSU Campus collections.

• Usually the highest resolution available. May or may not be the most current. Captured during the leaf-off season (late February through March).
• Sources are from Counties directly, or from USGS thanks to cost-share funding, or from the NC Floodplain Mapping Program.
• Dates, Resolution, tiling schemes, file formats, and other specifications vary widely.
• Most images are in MrSID compressed format. Contact Data Services if you need uncompressed TIFFs.
• The NC Geodetic Survey maintains a County Imagery Inventory (PDF) listing coordinators and currency dates.

See the Libraries' NAIP webpage for full details and access instructions.

• Mostly statewide extent
• 1-2 meter resolution; natural color
• Collected on a nearly annual basis (pending funding) since 2004.
• Leaf-on (taken during the summer).

See the Libraries' Urban High Res. Orthos webpage for full details and access instructions.

• NC Coverage areas: Triangle, Triad, Charlotte metro.
• Dates of Acquisition: 2002-2004 (see metadata for exact).
• Resolution of 1/3 meter, or approx. 1 foot.

See the Libraries' DOQQ webpage for full details and access instructions.

• Two versions:
  1993 black/white, 1998 Color-infrared
• Complete statewide extents
• Produced and released by USGS

The USGS Seamless Server offers viewing, download, and WMS connection of multiresolution USGS orthophotography for dates and locations nationwide.

All of the data listed above in this table are available through the Seamless site, except some county collections which did not receive USGS cost-share funding.

• UNC Libraries has an online tutorial and demo of how to download data from the Seamless site.

The USGS EarthExplorer is a clearinghouse for a very large range of geospatial data types, including aerial photography, satellite imagery, and cartography products. Aerial photo products include: DOQ, NAPP, NHAP, and mosaics from various federal agencies.

This is a good place to find historic aerial images - some of which may be over 50 years old. See also the table for Historic Aerial Photos below.

• Many image products at EarthExplorer are now free for download. Be sure to read message updates posted on their homepage for availability details.
• You must allow pop-ups on EarthExplorer. Searching can be quirky. If you get an error, try a different web browser.

Search GIS Lookup for "imagery" to see catalog records of many other aerial and satellite-based imagery data sources in the Libraries' collection, including World imagery content.

• The ESRI supplied World Imagery is designed for use in ArcGlobe

Geographic exploration software and online applications provide additional sources of aerial and orthophoto viewing:

• Google Earth and Google Maps - also provides "Street View" images


• Microsoft Virtual Earth - also provides oblique or "Bird's Eye" images


• NASA World Wind - uses public domain data

• These applications and websites are excellent for viewing data and information. However, they offer very limited analysis and export options.
• These applications make heads-up digitizing of general landscape features fairly simple. Search online for data conversion tools, ie. KML to shape.
• Extensive documentation and discussion exists elsewhere online for these services.
• Much of Google and Microsoft's data are commercial, and certain uses may be restricted by licensing.
• Virtual Earth content may be viewed in ArcMap as an ArcGIS Online Premium Service - NCSU | ESRI.

UNC has digital scans of Farm Service Agency (FSA) aerial photo collections for the following Counties:

• Wake (1959 and 1971)
• Durham (1955 and 1972)
• Orange (1955 and 1975)
• Person (1955)

• Image files are not presently georeferenced (do not have accompanying world files or coordinate information) for spatially positioning in GIS software, but it can be done by the end user.

EarthExplorer has a wide range of aerial imagery spanning over 7 decades.

• For more details, see the EarthExplorer record in the table above.

The NC DOT Photogrametry Unit has a very large collection of aerial photo prints and negatives for North Carolina. These holdings are available to state agencies and the public.

• Purposes are for highway planning. Flight paths are usually along highway corridors, either existing or planned, and are not organized in a typical county-wide grid or similar fashion.
• More Information