Developing: Bridge Collapses Near Seattle…Unknown Injuries…See the Photos

Watch Today’s BlazeCast With Your Questions, Comments & Live Chat!

Technology

What Are These Strange Barcode-Like Images Visible in Aerial Pictures of the U.S.?

Feb. 18, 2013 3:17pm Liz Klimas

Many might not know it, but there are dozens of large, barcode-like paintings across the United States. Just how long have they been there though and what do they do?

Aerial Calibration Targets in the United States Look Like Giant Barcodes

Fort Huachuca in Arizona. (Image: Google Earth/Center for Land Use Interpretation)

You might remember the strange structures spotted via Google Earth in China’s Gobi desert a couple years ago that were ultimately thought to be satellite calibration structures. According to a recent report by the Center for Land Use Interpretation, these two-dimensional structures in America perform a similar function.

A target in Maryland. (Photo: Google Earth/ Center for Land Use Interpretation)

They’re aerial photo calibration targets, most of which were put in their current locations in the 1950s and 60s by the Air Force and NASA and some are still in use today.

Here’s more about the targets:

The targets function like an eye chart at the optometrist, where the smallest group of bars that can be resolved marks the limit of the resolution for the optical instrument that is being used. For aerial photography, it provides a platform to test, calibrate, and focus aerial cameras traveling at different speeds and altitudes. The targets can also be used in the same way by satellites.

Eglin Air Force Base, Florida (Photo: Google Earth/ Center for Land Use Interpretation)

The report stated that most of the targets fall within restricted groundspace: Eglin AFB, Florida; the Nevada Test Site; St. Inigoes, Maryland; and Fort Huachuca, Arizona; Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio; Travis AFB, California; Beaufort Marine Corps Base and Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina.

The Center for Land Use Interpretation reported the largest concentration of the barcode targets — 15 in a 20 mile range — falls within Edwards Air Force Base.

Edwards Air Force Base (Photo: Google Earth/ Center for Land Use Interpretation)

“There is some variation in the size and shape of the targets at Edwards, suggesting updates and modifications for specific programs,” the report stated. “A number of the targets there also have aircraft hulks next to them, added to provide additional, realistic subjects for testing cameras. Some of these planes are themselves unusual and rare military jets, officially in the collection of the base museum, despite being left out on the range.”

The ones in the Mojave desert, the report stated, have been used to calibrate A12, SR-71 and U-2 planes. Drones also could use these targets to calibrate their surveillance cameras and sensors.

Most of the targets, CLUI stated are on concrete or asphalt consisting of black and white paint in a 78 foot by 53 foot pattern of parallel and perpendicular bars at different sizes.

The CLUI stated that it picked out images of the barcode-like calibration targets from The Art of Citizen Space Exploration, which is running at the University of California Riverside Sweeney Art Gallery from January 19 to May 18.

–

Related:

(H/T: Business Insider)

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (78)

hades3
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 8:13pm
A photo test too determine which is the best equipment too affix too drones, as they use infrared and thermal imaging to spy on every day citizens, even into their bedrooms.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- jman-6
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 9:14pm
  These are property survey markers for the Chinese to keep track of their growing inventory of land as they issue our govt. lines of credit for them to print more worthless paper! At the rate were going the paper itself will be worth more than what’s printed on it! I don’t know weather to laugh or cry at these insidious IDIOTS!
  
  Report this comment
- SendTheMeteors
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 9:43pm
  Those things don’t look anything like bar codes. They are uniformly sized. The look like building or maybe solar panels. But I like reading the National Enquirer in the grocery store line as much as the next person.
  
  Maybe they are nuclear missile bunkers? Or storage facilities for Whole Foods? Basketball courts? Biological weapons producing facilities? Alien hotels?
  
  You’re guess is as good as mine.
  
  Report this comment
- sasquatch08
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 10:08pm
  “They are uniformly sized.”
  
  So are bar codes.
  
  Report this comment
- navydoc2008
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 11:13pm
  @sendthemeteors
  
  Did you read the article? It tells you what they are for. The military has been using them for a very long time. That is how we used to calibrate our spy plane cameras, then the early satellites. No big mystery.
  
  @ Hades3
  Your use of too is too much. You do realize there is a difference between to, too, and two? No worries the editors here would never have dinged you for it.
  
  Report this comment
- Anonymous T. Irrelevant
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 11:25pm
  SENDTHEMEATIERS
  No, they are not uniformally sized. Read the story.
  “The targets function like an eye chart at the optometrist, where the smallest group of bars that can be resolved, marks the limit of the resolution for the optical instrument that is being used.”
  Please read the article, first, before posting.
  
  Report this comment
- Jim S
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 11:27pm
  ..landing instructions to the FEMA camps !..they’re everywhere you know…and the FEMA coffins are just to the right off screen…wish we could see the video “THEY” banned…news is whatever you want it to be,proven once again.
  
  Report this comment
- tonypro
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 2:11am
  “Drones also could use these targets to calibrate their surveillance cameras and sensors.”
  
  ………………………………
  
  That says it all.
  
  Report this comment
- DisposableWorker
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 10:23pm
  Bingo!
  
  Report this comment
supermansdad
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 7:54pm
Bring out the Tin Foil Hat Brigade!!!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- isobamamadd
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 12:12pm
  http://www.impeachobamacampaign.com/video-investigator-obamas-dhs-cyber-army-targets-anti-obama-sites/
  
  Report this comment
Gargent_Furball
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 7:37pm
I knew it, I knew it, Just Like the X Files An Alien conspiracy.

I Want To Believe

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 7:21pm
The barcodes are for the Chinese to make inventories easily. I mean inventory of the lands they are going to get from Barry when collecting the US debt….

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- napoleon_solo
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 8:28pm
  That is probably more true than many would dare even consider.
  
  Report this comment
S. Allen
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 7:08pm
State lawmakers in 20 states moving to reject federal gun control laws. See ConservativeStates.com

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- poorrichard09
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 7:18pm
  Direction signs for UFO’s-you can’t fool me! ;-D
  
  Report this comment
- Mil Mom
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 9:31pm
  @poorrichard09
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 7:18pm
  
  Direction signs for UFO’s-you can’t fool me! ;-D
  ***
  Maybe it’s internet shopping for UFO’s they scan what they want then send the aleins to pick it up.
  
  Report this comment
- BryanB
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 3:00am
  I want you to think about this for a minute.
  
  A very intelligent extraterrestrial is going to travel anywhere from 10′s millions to 100′s of millions of light years, through 100′s maybe 1000′s galaxies just to get to Earth. And then their going to need maps and landmarks just to get around on Earth ?
  
  Ok………
  
  Report this comment
- Jim S
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 11:45am
  @BryanB..of course they need a map..they also have headlights and turn signals and are seen in the sky..because when you travel the vastness of space you need really strong high beams to see where you’re going…apply logic and reason to any “theory” and it rises or falls…there is a TV show going into it’s 3rd season looking for Bigfoot..and people turn in every week believing THIS week they will catch him… aliens,FEMA,9/11, JFK, Bermuda Triangle, Ghost hunters…it never ends..cottage industries, web sites, book, DVDs etc etc..feed the beast…feed the fear..see a lot right here.
  
  Report this comment
thetruthseeker711
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 6:29pm
the article should spend a little time on discussing the technology changes in calibration from earlier satellite imagery and that of today. Would add some descent journalism integrity to an otherwise “who cares” type article. Just sayin…..

Who’s with me?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- BobtheMoron
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 7:07pm
  Descent or decent. I could envision both. Although the descent of journalism into the Progressive morass is obvious.
  
  Report this comment
- Texas Lady Juanita
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 7:08pm
  Me.
  
  Report this comment
JackCann
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 6:24pm
If it is only white paint on black asphalt. Why then are there shadows from the white paint? Call me crazy, but they seem more like storage containers.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
1Haole_Boy
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 6:03pm
TEN THOUSAND YEARS FROM NOW, ANCIENT ASTRONAUT THEORISTS MIGHT POSTULATE:
That these are eye charts for alien pilots to renew their astronauts licences!!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- SolitudeBliss
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 7:26pm
  LOL, watching a bit too much Ancient Aliens, are we?
  
  Report this comment
Noah_fing-whey
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 5:41pm
It’s where they are storing the massive ammo purchases Homeland is making.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- JackCann
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 6:27pm
  Very plausable
  
  Report this comment
- BostonHarold
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 11:36pm
  Mass graves for the gulags…
  
  Report this comment
GuruMeditation
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 5:29pm
The prince of the power of the air needs them.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
gryffn
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 5:28pm
I do not believe anything this government says.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
NeoKong
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 5:23pm
They can use the know size of the objects to judge the size of other objects they observe.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Fecal_Matters
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 5:31pm
  It’s an SOS to the Aliens to “Help us” and take Libturds like @Sendinthemoron, @Enema, @ Sensei (it is so), and @Keaton back with them!!!
  
  Report this comment
- YOURSENSEI
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 6:00pm
  This is what you must know:
  
  I’ll be happy to go. Leave you here to deal with Martin Bashir.
  
  It is so.
  
  Report this comment
RemoteCoderz
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 5:15pm
It’s Borg poop. Every one knows this. Move on.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Beachmastermax
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 5:09pm
Junk yard for Ray Nagin’s flooded school buses.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Noah_fing-whey
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 5:36pm
  Lol
  
  Report this comment
thibx
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 4:41pm
if the aliens are looking for oboma, please someone let them know where he is. aliens are real i have seen the spaceship and oboma.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
wilbstal
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 4:30pm
send in 1 million folks to see what they are. We are supposed to run the country not Air Force bases or Obama. lets check it out

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Barnesrickw
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 4:22pm
They are any ordinary object that looks strange for me to turn into plot. I can let my paranoia run free, and turn them into a statement about me overthrowing the government. My real life cannot compared to my delusional one.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
media-bias-steals-elections
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 4:08pm
You mean like the legislation passed by the House to repeal Obama Does not Care? So the fact that the media can’t zero in on that measurement object says it needs to calibrate its focus?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
huey6367
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 4:05pm
Let’s say they are really large semi trailers. Probably not but as good as any other answer.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
MrKnowItAll
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 3:43pm
Who Cares?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- jungle J
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 4:02pm
  smart people.
  
  Report this comment
banjarmon
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 3:38pm
These markings are PRICE TAGS for the world!!!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Jake Dog2
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 7:50pm
  Yes a galactic e-bay sell going on
  
  Report this comment
Gregory_Adams
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 3:37pm
Solar arrays, duh!

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
TheCalmOne
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 3:35pm
Damn, I thought it was The Rapture.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- watashbuddyfriend
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 4:58pm
  And, you were left behind! grin
  
  Report this comment
- Schteveo
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 6:10pm
  I don’t think the ‘guy in charge’ of the Rapture will need ground level targets to carry out his plans.
  
  Report this comment
Fubared
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 3:29pm
Didn’t alex jones say these were road sign for aliens to use to get to the fema camps where they serve golden wrapped babies for afternoon tea? Is that a chem trail shadow, or a shadow of a shadow? The poop thickens. Tofu, bring us up to speed-

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Exrepublisheep
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 3:39pm
  All protected by the secret muslim army Obama has been gathering.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 3:47pm
  FUBARED, LOL. You may now understand why I have for so many decades said that Iran should be turned into a navigational aid for UFOs. Now, with the aid of North Korea, they just might do it to themselves.
  
  Report this comment
- 13th Imam
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 3:49pm
  Alien Dinner Menu
  
  One from column a, one from column b
  Also they indicate where the fatty fattiest live. Fork Tender
  
  Report this comment
- Fubared
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 3:56pm
  Their acquiring of late stage magnets in bulk recently does not bode well. If we laced goat food with tritium, could we see the haji’s peeing every morning from afar?
  
  Report this comment
- RLTW
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 4:02pm
  FUBARED
  Obviously Obama is in contact with Louse Fairythecons alien masters.
  
  Report this comment
Avidmonkey
Posted on February 18, 2013 at 3:26pm
okay…

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Schteveo
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 6:00pm
  These are not from the 60′s or 70′s, that’s a cover story. They were put there, WAY before Dec 21st last year, so the aliens didn’t destroy the Earth, as was their original plan.
  
  But now that we’ve agreed to let them use the Earth for their new homes, they’ll let us live.
  
  The real story is that the aliens use those signs to find the worm holes in the Bermuda Triangle to jump back and forth from now, back and forth to the pre-stone age going back to the dino days. They go back so they can get dinosaur DNA, that they use to grow synthetic food, which is their only possible food source on Earth.
  
  So, THERE!
  
  Report this comment
- Spitfire1938
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 6:27pm
  Hey… SCHTEVEO: Don’t be ragg’n on “Dinosaur Bar-B-Q”! George Soros owns em now! Aliens love George and Dinosaur Bar-B-Q
  
  Report this comment
- Schteveo
  Posted on February 19, 2013 at 1:48pm
  Spitfire,
  aliens don’t eat ‘Q’, they eat some sort of weird, glowing, bright green ‘ooze’, made FROM dino DNA. They’ve ‘evolved’ beyond bbq. As IF that’s advancement!
  
  And this is why they shoot aliens in Texas! And NC! In Memphis, a few underground places actually have alien BBQ.
  
  Report this comment

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.