The animation in the figure shows aerial imagery from Anne Arundel County, Maryland, collected by National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP), followed by 1-meter Chesapeake Bay Land Cover (13 classes) and Land Use/Land Cover (54 classes) data products.
What Aerial Imagery Data Set Should I Use in EarthExplorer?
Your choice depends on your location, the time period you need, and the image scale. Use EarthExplorer to search for these recommended aerial datasets:
1937–2014: Aerial Photo Single Frames
1980–1989: National High Altitude Aerial Photography (NHAP)
1987–2007: National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP)
1987–2006: Digital Orthophoto Quadrangle (DOQs)
2000–2016: High Resolution Orthoimagery (HRO)
2003–present: National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP)
There could be a small amount of overlap between these different programs. For locations in Hawaii, Alaska, U.S. territories, and in other countries, you might need to explore some of the other datasets.
Related
Are the scanned aerial photographic images georectified? Are the scanned aerial photographic images georectified?
Scans of traditional aerial photography film products (air photos) are not georectified. The USGS does, however, offer several orthoimagery (georectified aerial photograph) products: Digital Orthophoto Quadrangle (DOQ) High Resolution Orthoimagery (HRO) National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP, NAIP Plus) NAIP orthoimagery has been collected for the entire conterminous United States every 3...
Is certification available for scanned aerial photographic products? Is certification available for scanned aerial photographic products?
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earth Resources Observation and Science Center (EROS) can only certify that the product downloaded through our website is an authentic reproduction of an official record of the government that is in the legal custody of the USGS EROS Center. See the standard Authenticity of Digital Imagery document.
Will all aerial photographic film held by USGS be digitized? Will all aerial photographic film held by USGS be digitized?
Yes, there is a plan to scan and digitize all rolls of film. The plan is to first scan all rolls of film that are in danger of decay from vinegar syndrome and then scan everything else. Science and customer requirements are also reviewed on a regular basis, but a formal, online schedule is not available. Learn more: USGS EROS products overview USGS EROS Aerial Photography Frequently Asked...
Will I be able to see my house in an aerial photograph? Will enlarging the image let me see more detail? Will I be able to see my house in an aerial photograph? Will enlarging the image let me see more detail?
The ability to see specific items in an aerial image is mostly a function of scale and resolution. The following aerial photography products all have a resolution of 1 meter or better, so you should be able to see an object the size of a house: High Resolution Orthoimagery (HRO) National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) imagery Digital Orthophoto Quadrangle (DOQ) Use EarthExplorer to search for...
Is there a cost for aerial photograph products? Is there a cost for aerial photograph products?
Download medium-resolution scans (400 dpi) of aerial photography products at no charge using EarthExplorer. We are working on high-resolution scans (25 micron or 1,000 dpi) that can also be downloaded at no charge. With over 8.4 million frames of imagery in our archive, scanning will take many years to complete, but about 80% of high-resolution scans are currently available. If you can't find a...
Aerial imagery from Anne Arundel County, Maryland
The animation in the figure shows aerial imagery from Anne Arundel County, Maryland, collected by National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP), followed by 1-meter Chesapeake Bay Land Cover (13 classes) and Land Use/Land Cover (54 classes) data products.
Aerial photo of estuary
Aerial view of a gas flux tower in Great Barnstable Marsh in Barnstable, Massachusetts.
Aerial view of a gas flux tower in Great Barnstable Marsh in Barnstable, Massachusetts.
Low-altitude aerial photograph of Plum Island, Massachusetts
Low-altitude aerial photograph of Plum Island, MassachusettsLow-altitude aerial photograph of Plum Island, Massachusetts, , from USGS field activity 2019-009-FA.
Low-altitude aerial photograph of Plum Island, Massachusetts
Low-altitude aerial photograph of Plum Island, MassachusettsLow-altitude aerial photograph of Plum Island, Massachusetts, , from USGS field activity 2019-009-FA.
A false-color aerial photo
A false-color aerial photo illuminates the stark contrast between irrigated center pivot cropland and dryland agriculture in eastern Washington
A false-color aerial photo illuminates the stark contrast between irrigated center pivot cropland and dryland agriculture in eastern Washington
National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP) - Little Rock, AR - CIR
National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP) - Little Rock, AR - CIRNational Aerial Photography Program (NAPP) - Little Rock, AR - Color Infrad - March 25, 2001
National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP) - Little Rock, AR - CIR
National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP) - Little Rock, AR - CIRNational Aerial Photography Program (NAPP) - Little Rock, AR - Color Infrad - March 25, 2001
Related
Are the scanned aerial photographic images georectified? Are the scanned aerial photographic images georectified?
Scans of traditional aerial photography film products (air photos) are not georectified. The USGS does, however, offer several orthoimagery (georectified aerial photograph) products: Digital Orthophoto Quadrangle (DOQ) High Resolution Orthoimagery (HRO) National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP, NAIP Plus) NAIP orthoimagery has been collected for the entire conterminous United States every 3...
Is certification available for scanned aerial photographic products? Is certification available for scanned aerial photographic products?
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earth Resources Observation and Science Center (EROS) can only certify that the product downloaded through our website is an authentic reproduction of an official record of the government that is in the legal custody of the USGS EROS Center. See the standard Authenticity of Digital Imagery document.
Will all aerial photographic film held by USGS be digitized? Will all aerial photographic film held by USGS be digitized?
Yes, there is a plan to scan and digitize all rolls of film. The plan is to first scan all rolls of film that are in danger of decay from vinegar syndrome and then scan everything else. Science and customer requirements are also reviewed on a regular basis, but a formal, online schedule is not available. Learn more: USGS EROS products overview USGS EROS Aerial Photography Frequently Asked...
Will I be able to see my house in an aerial photograph? Will enlarging the image let me see more detail? Will I be able to see my house in an aerial photograph? Will enlarging the image let me see more detail?
The ability to see specific items in an aerial image is mostly a function of scale and resolution. The following aerial photography products all have a resolution of 1 meter or better, so you should be able to see an object the size of a house: High Resolution Orthoimagery (HRO) National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) imagery Digital Orthophoto Quadrangle (DOQ) Use EarthExplorer to search for...
Is there a cost for aerial photograph products? Is there a cost for aerial photograph products?
Download medium-resolution scans (400 dpi) of aerial photography products at no charge using EarthExplorer. We are working on high-resolution scans (25 micron or 1,000 dpi) that can also be downloaded at no charge. With over 8.4 million frames of imagery in our archive, scanning will take many years to complete, but about 80% of high-resolution scans are currently available. If you can't find a...
Aerial imagery from Anne Arundel County, Maryland
The animation in the figure shows aerial imagery from Anne Arundel County, Maryland, collected by National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP), followed by 1-meter Chesapeake Bay Land Cover (13 classes) and Land Use/Land Cover (54 classes) data products.
The animation in the figure shows aerial imagery from Anne Arundel County, Maryland, collected by National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP), followed by 1-meter Chesapeake Bay Land Cover (13 classes) and Land Use/Land Cover (54 classes) data products.
Aerial photo of estuary
Aerial view of a gas flux tower in Great Barnstable Marsh in Barnstable, Massachusetts.
Aerial view of a gas flux tower in Great Barnstable Marsh in Barnstable, Massachusetts.
Low-altitude aerial photograph of Plum Island, Massachusetts
Low-altitude aerial photograph of Plum Island, MassachusettsLow-altitude aerial photograph of Plum Island, Massachusetts, , from USGS field activity 2019-009-FA.
Low-altitude aerial photograph of Plum Island, Massachusetts
Low-altitude aerial photograph of Plum Island, MassachusettsLow-altitude aerial photograph of Plum Island, Massachusetts, , from USGS field activity 2019-009-FA.
A false-color aerial photo
A false-color aerial photo illuminates the stark contrast between irrigated center pivot cropland and dryland agriculture in eastern Washington
A false-color aerial photo illuminates the stark contrast between irrigated center pivot cropland and dryland agriculture in eastern Washington
National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP) - Little Rock, AR - CIR
National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP) - Little Rock, AR - CIRNational Aerial Photography Program (NAPP) - Little Rock, AR - Color Infrad - March 25, 2001
National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP) - Little Rock, AR - CIR
National Aerial Photography Program (NAPP) - Little Rock, AR - CIRNational Aerial Photography Program (NAPP) - Little Rock, AR - Color Infrad - March 25, 2001
Updated Date: January 29, 2026