Skip to content

TechRepublic

  • Top Products Lists
  • Developer
  • 5G
  • Security
  • Cloud
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Tech & Work
  • Mobility
  • Big Data
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • CES
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Top Products Lists
  • Developer
  • 5G
  • Security
  • Cloud
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Tech & Work
  • Mobility
  • Big Data
  • Innovation
  • Cheat Sheets
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • CES
  • See All Topics
  • Sponsored
  • Newsletters
  • Forums
  • Resource Library
TechRepublic Premium
Join / Sign In
After Hours

Gallery: Finding bin Laden on Google Earth

By Andy Smith February 19, 2009, 4:06 AM PST

Image
1
of 6

Gallery: Finding bin Laden on Google Earth

Where is Osama bin Laden? Two UCLA geography professors, John A. Agnew and Thomas W. Gillespie, published their theory Thursday on the MIT International Review site (PDF). The UCLA team used satellite imagery (LandsatETM+, Shuttle Radar Topography Mission, Defense Meteorilogical Satellite, QuickBird) to identify three buildings that could possibly house the FBI’s most wanted terrorist who has evaded capture for more than seven years.nn

According to their abstract, the team used “biogeographic theories associated with the distribution of life and extinction and remote sensing data over three spatial scales to identify where bin Laden is most probably currently located.”nn

The team says that distance-decay theory would indicate that bin Laden would be closest to the point where he was last located or in a region with similar physical environment and cultural composition. Since he was last sighted in Jalalabad, Afghanistan on November 13, 2001 and heard communicating from Tora Bora, Afghanistan on November 28, 2001, this map shows the probability of his next location (click on the map to enlarge).nnn

NOTE: The UCLA team did not use images from Google Earth to conduct their research. But we were able to locate the sites by using Google Earth from the coordinates given and provide almost exact replicas of the images presented in their research.n

Credit: UCLA

Gallery: Finding bin Laden on Google Earth

Island biogeographic theory predicts that bin Laden would be in a larger town rather that a smaller town (easier to blend in). The team identified 26 city islands that were within 20 kilometers of his last known location. After studying the locations, they determined that Parachinar was the largest, fourth-least isolated, and most likely location of bin Laden’s hideout.

Credit: Google Earth

Gallery: Finding bin Laden on Google Earth

Parachinar is the closest city to bin Laden’s last known location at Jalalabad. nn

Credit: Google Earth

Gallery: Finding bin Laden on Google Earth

After identifying Parchinar as the most like city, the research team did a house-to-house search of satellite images. They looked for buildings that could satisfy his special circumstances:nnAt 6 foot 4 inches bin Laden needed a tall building. He uses a dialysis machine that requires electricity so his location needs an electric grid hook-up or generator. He enjoys physical protection and personal privacy which could mean high walls and space between structures. He needs body guards so there has to be at least three rooms. He also would want to remain protected from aerial views which means nearby trees.nnnn

This first structure is located at N33.901955, 70.093746.nnn

NOTE: The UCLA team did not use images from Google Earth to conduct their research. But we were able to locate the sites by using Google Earth from the coordinates given and provide almost exact replicas of the images presented in their research.nn

Credit: Google Earth

Gallery: Finding bin Laden on Google Earth

The second structure, located at 33.922694, E70.0959, is thought by the UCLA team to be a prison. But the team points out that it has one of the best maintained gardens in the city.nn

Credit: Google Earth

Gallery: Finding bin Laden on Google Earth

The third structure that met all of the team’s bin Laden criteria is a private residence located at N33.888207, E70.113308. In addition to the three structures that met all six of bin Laden’s life history characteristics, there were 16 additional structures that met five of the six needs.nn

Credit: Google Earth

  • After Hours
  • Account Information

    Share with Your Friends

    Gallery: Finding bin Laden on Google Earth

    Your email has been sent

Share: Gallery: Finding bin Laden on Google Earth
Image of Andy Smith
By Andy Smith
  • Account Information

    Contact Andy Smith

    Your message has been sent

  • |
  • See all of Andy's content

TechRepublic Premium

  • TechRepublic Premium

    Guidelines for building security policies

    PURPOSE These guidelines from TechRepublic Premium will help you define the necessary ingredients of a security policy and assist in its proper construction. They’re designed to work hand in hand with the subjective knowledge you have of your company, environment and employees. Using this information, your business can establish new policies or elaborate on those ...

    Provided By TechRepublic Premium Published:  Mar 2023 Modified:  Mar 2023 Read More
    View This Now
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Hiring kit: Artificial intelligence architect

    PURPOSE Recruiting an Artificial Intelligence Architect with the right combination of technical expertise and experience will require a comprehensive screening process. This Hiring Kit from TechRepublic Premium provides an adjustable framework your business can use to find, recruit and ultimately hire the right person for the job. From the hiring kit: DETERMINING FACTORS, DESIRABLE PERSONALITY ...

    Provided By TechRepublic Premium Published:  Mar 2023 Modified:  Mar 2023 Read More
    Learn More
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Hiring kit: Autonomous systems engineer

    PURPOSE Hiring the right Autonomous Systems Engineer requires a specific and precise recruitment process, supported by a thorough understanding of the project requirements. This Hiring Kit from TechRepublic Premium provides an adjustable framework your business can use to find, recruit and ultimately hire the right person for the job. From the hiring kit: DETERMINING FACTORS, ...

    Provided By TechRepublic Premium Published:  Mar 2023 Modified:  Mar 2023 Read More
    View This Now
  • TechRepublic Premium

    Hiring kit: Application support engineer

    PURPOSE This Hiring Kit: Application Support Engineer from TechRepublic Premium provides an adjustable framework your business can use to find, recruit and ultimately hire the right person for the job. From the hiring kit: DETERMINING FACTORS, DESIRABLE PERSONALITY TRAITS AND SKILLSETS The skillset of successful Application Support Engineers is marked by balancing the technical expertise ...

    Provided By TechRepublic Premium Published:  Mar 2023 Modified:  Mar 2023 Read More
    View This Now

Services

  • About Us
  • Newsletters
  • RSS Feeds
  • Site Map
  • Site Help & Feedback
  • FAQ
  • Advertise
  • Do Not Sell My Information

Explore

  • Downloads
  • TechRepublic Forums
  • Meet the Team
  • TechRepublic Academy
  • TechRepublic Premium
  • Resource Library
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • TechRepublic
  • TechRepublic on Twitter
  • TechRepublic on Facebook
  • TechRepublic on LinkedIn
  • TechRepublic on Flipboard
© 2023 TechnologyAdvice. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Property of TechnologyAdvice