Technology

America ‘As You’ve Never Seen It Before’: What Exactly Are You Seeing in These Incredible New Satellite Photos?

Combining aerial footage and real-time satellite data, a series set to air in the United Kingdom on PBS is showing “the American landscape as you’ve never seen it before.”

Sure, you’ve may have seen similar images tracking flight patterns across the United States or the electricity grid, but “America Revealed” goes a step further including things like the New York City morning commute, Domino’s Pizza truck routes and the transport of dead bodies cross country.

PBS America Revealed Launches in United Kingdom

America's electrical grid showing cities connected. (Image: America Revealed)

PBS America Revealed Launches in United Kingdom

Truck routes of those supplying Dominos Pizza chains. (Image: America Revealed)

For example, the Daily Mail points out this latter route clearly shows those who died in Florida after retirement being “repatriated to their home states.”

PBS America Revealed Launches in United Kingdom

Transportation of dead bodies within the United States. (Image: America Revealed)

Here‘s more from the show’s website on the series, which began airing in the United States earlier this year and full episodes are already available online:

The UK producers of Britain from Above take you to the skies for a bird’s-eye view of how the vast and complex country of America actually works.

[...]

Host Yul Kwon climbs, leaps, and rides across the U.S. to trace the mighty infrastructures that miraculously come together to manufacture goods, transport people, grow tonnes of food, and power the tech-dependent nation.

From the glaciers of Alaska to the crowded New York subways; from Chicago’s bustling freight yards to the lonely badlands of Wyoming, Yul takes you to spectacular and unexpected places and introduces you to the people whose effort and expertise puts food on every American table, keeps the lights on, the transport systems moving and the factories busy. This is a celebration of a nation in the 21st century.

PBS America Revealed Launches in United Kingdom

Connectivity towers and their reach visualized. (Image: America Revealed)

The four-part series includes episodes on food, transportation, electric use and manufacturing. Here are a couple teasers of the episodes.

This one tracks a pizza delivery man on a Friday night in New York City:

All the food outlets — including fast food — are revealed in this “dining galaxy”:

The idea for “America Revealed,” stemming from the BBC’s “Britain From Above,” is a show that offers a “new perspective on the hidden patterns and rhythms of American life, by looking through the eyes of individuals who all play a part in keeping America fed, moving, powered and making goods.”

If you missed it while it was airing in the United States this spring, check out the episodes here.

Comments (86)

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  • cashbgone
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:04pm

    “Combining aerial footage and real-time satellite data, a series set to air in the United Kingdom on PBS is showing “the American landscape as you’ve never seen it before.””

    Why is PBS showing on the BBC? Why do we subsidize PBS? This actually looks like it might be a good show. I’m proud of the business and production networks that this country has, and those networks of like minded folks doing good business make us what we are. I might like the show, but I just saw a bit of it. I do not want to subsidize the production. Let’s leave that to the market. Just like those business networks that make such great pictures.

    Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:26pm

      I’m going to hold my comments until I get some feedback from the e-mail I sent to Glenn about overlays.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • ManThong
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:58pm

      Um.. looks like Chicago is the dead body center of the country..

      and they all vote Democrat.

      Report Post » ManThong  
    • historyguy48
      Posted on June 20, 2012 at 6:41am

      Take a look at our electrical grid. Do you still have any doubt how easily it would be taken down by an EMP? Well don‘t because it’s wide open and unprotected!
      One second after the bombs (3) go off 310 million Americans are living in the mid-19th century. 10% will be alive one year later! Goggle “starvation”.
      Our only viable response. Give the rest of the world an EMP!

      Report Post » historyguy48  
    • D-Fence
      Posted on June 20, 2012 at 10:04am

      Mark these words. It will be used against us as more proof that Americans and the US are unfairly consuming the worlds resources, energy,…..

      Report Post » D-Fence  
    • Nyle
      Posted on June 20, 2012 at 6:54pm

      Is this a show about our greatness and uniqueness or strategic plans of where best to strike for maximum affect? I am certain that is not the intent but while these photos are stunning, i can’t help but wonder what they might do for enemies.

      Then again, maybe this is all public info at this point anyway.

      Report Post »  
    • mike1127
      Posted on June 20, 2012 at 9:20pm

      HISTORYGUY: Do you suppose replacing the burnt-out parts would take a year?

      Report Post » mike1127  
  • Deibido
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 6:45pm

    The world is gathering data on us, our lives and it is a set-up for future complications and nightmares. Be forwarned! Eventually America will be a warn zone as every other part of the world. Guns, compounds and guards… And all the while, the Fed’s and the Federal Reserve continues to move us toward 3rd world poverty status. Makes me think we’re actually governed by lower forms of Reptilians -look it up!

    Buckle your seat belts, it‘ll be a bumpy ride bouy’s and girl’s.

    Report Post »  
    • Ruler4You
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:12pm

      We are being targeted for “consumption” and “portion control” from U.N. Agenda 21.

      We WILL be made an example of. And, despite our contribution to feeding the world’s hungery, we will be derided for our own consumption. Even though that consumption “IS” an economic BOOM in and of itself.

      Global paradoxical paranoia seems to be growing…

      Report Post » Ruler4You  
    • Newsy
      Posted on June 20, 2012 at 3:26pm

      1984? We all thought it was a good read, but we didn’t do our homework.

      Report Post »  
  • truelife
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 5:59pm

    This is too much information to be public… this seems to me like a major security issue… leaving far too much out there for those who might mean America harm. I always believed that when/if North America becomes irrelevant (as far as being a super power goes), her collapse will happen because strategically placed bombs took out our Electric/Communications/Food grid. Our culture is so dependent on these things these days, if the bad guys knocked them out, they would not need to lift a finger, because in a matter of months our people would destroy each other on their own. All that separates our people from the violent folks in third world countries is about 78 hours of desperation…no food, water, electricity, toilet paper, heat, television etc. First the idiots would loot the stores, then they would turn on each other……Shocked that this vital information is out there for all to see! it shows the inner workings of our Nation, and understanding those inner workings is just what our enemies need to throw a monkey wrench into the gears and bring us down….

    Report Post »  
  • spfoam1
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 5:32pm

    It looks like all the dead people stop in Chicago to drop off absentee ballets on the way out.

    Report Post »  
    • KangarooJack
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 5:56pm

      Thanks for the belly laugh!!! lol

      Report Post » KangarooJack  
    • wordweaver
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 6:46pm

      That is prime! I was wondering about that, and your explanation makes some sense.

      Report Post » wordweaver  
    • CatB
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 9:07pm

      LOL .. I wondered if anyone else picked up on that !!! Chicago .. land of the dead (voter) …

      Report Post »  
  • JustJason
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 5:22pm

    Founding Fathers felt “self interest” was good.

    The baker out of “self interest” makes bread and sells it. Through that “self interest” he feeds others (good). This is done with far more efficiency than any government. The free market is the preferred form of government for free men.

    Liberals or evil men call this “self interest” greed. Which is a lie.

    Report Post »  
  • snakeoilforsale
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 5:12pm

    Sooooooo, GOD is using GPS tracking? that is how he does it? I would really love to see an overlay of Santa’s route (may be mix it with blues to hues of purple and a big shiny red dot when he gets to the North Pole). How in the world did any of you get from images of Earth to God’s Wrath on man kind. Revelations speak to this some where? Did I miss that in my Sunday school? Come on! This is cool stuff- no reason to go overboard. Tell you what, you want to talk Eternal hellfire and all of that, go find the post about the Preacher paying waaaaaay to much attention to the “children” of his flock. sigh.

    Report Post »  
    • wdittgasn
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:13pm

      What does old Satan Claus have to do with God, Check out the roots of Christmas.

      Report Post » wdittgasn  
    • snakeoilforsale
      Posted on June 20, 2012 at 4:43pm

      can’t get one over on you… hahahahaha. wow, like, dude, you sooooo miss the point of the post. And I have studied Santa and all that, not my fault if you don’t believe.

      Report Post »  
  • dont_drive_slow_in_the_left_lane_obliviot
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 4:55pm

    Looks like Tron. So PBS is sure to make us look like total hogs, I‘m sure all those evil corporate fat factories didn’t contribute to this infomercial at all. Well the soda prohibition should fix that right up.

    Report Post » dont_drive_slow_in_the_left_lane_obliviot  
  • moreteaplease
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 4:45pm

    Sandra
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:59pm

    There is no other way except through Him. Not many here will agree, but I am with you on this one.
    ———————————————-
    “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me.”

    Yeah, I agree

    Report Post » moreteaplease  
  • moreteaplease
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 4:41pm

    This makes the idea of moving out west a little more enticing.

    Report Post » moreteaplease  
  • Nolooters
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 4:24pm

    If Beck was worried about EMPs before, this will certainly add a new layer of concern and sleeplessness.

    Report Post »  
  • GoodStuff
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 4:14pm

    I’m moving out West.

    Report Post »  
  • wzanesdad
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 4:04pm

    I don‘t think I’d want to live in the east if the shtf and the power grid goes down. Looks to me like the west would be up and running in no time. Glad I’m in the wide open spaces.

    Report Post » wzanesdad  
    • Red Meat
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 4:22pm

      I notice most of the dead bodies are leaving FL. God’s waiting room.

      Report Post » Red Meat  
    • loriann12
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 4:59pm

      Red Meat…looks like Florida, New York, Chicago and San Francisco to me….

      Report Post »  
  • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 4:01pm

    Isn’t it interesting that it appears that two of the places where the flow of dead bodies seems to mainly be between are Chicago and Hawaii?

    Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
  • Hill60
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:54pm

    Oooh – overlaying satellite images with graphics. How clever. (sarc)

    On the other hand – interesting to see how the Mississippi clearly delineates the “congested” East vs. the wide open West.

    Report Post »  
    • RedDawn2012
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:03pm

      That’s not the Mississippi – the river is 300 miles EAST of that line. It’s the line where the trees and greenery (and the mass of humanity that prefers them) stop and the plains begin.

      Report Post » RedDawn2012  
  • qpwillie
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:47pm

    That pizza man would have a hard time getting away with anything. He leaves those big blue lines everywhere he goes.

    Report Post » qpwillie  
    • 4xeverything
      Posted on June 20, 2012 at 5:39am

      Well, it’s not like he should think that he can just go anywhere he wants.

      Thank you , Nanny Bloomberg.

      Report Post » 4xeverything  
  • TADTAD
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:46pm

    If “they” know all this, then The Beast has been revealed. Thank you for saving me, Jesus.

    Report Post » TADTAD  
  • PROSECUTE_PUBLIC_SERVANTS__FOR_CONSTITUTIONAL_TREASON
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:45pm

    From afar these are beautiful pictures but look up close with a microscope and you will see a evil wicked world that defiles God ready for judgement.

    Report Post »  
  • PROSECUTE_PUBLIC_SERVANTS__FOR_CONSTITUTIONAL_TREASON
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:43pm

    Putin was not happy today at the G20. Putin has at least one nuke pointed at every US city of 10K or more. Are you prepared for thermal nuclear war? Obummer is and so is congress. They all have bug out bomb shelters filled with the best money can buy. You and I, our families just have to tough it out and hope not to die. They make the decisions we die. Seems fair. Why did you not vote for Ron Paul who wanted your family to live and war to end? Seems like a simple question to have answered correctly.

    Report Post »  
    • Captain Crunch
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 4:53pm

      Hypnotized…vote for Paul, vote for Paul, free drugs….party in the park until the nukes fly.

      Paul cant win…It’s too late.Sorry.

      Report Post »  
  • mapgirl10
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:41pm

    Wow Now business can be followed by anyone, anywhere and we are the lab rats buying it. Interesting concept that could be used in so many ways don’t you think?

    Report Post »  
  • PROSECUTE_PUBLIC_SERVANTS__FOR_CONSTITUTIONAL_TREASON
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:39pm

    Not one hand will carry a flea out of this world at death. You leave naked and broke as does every celibrity and wealthy business man. Many will say in that day “Lord, Lord I have done many great deeds in your name.” Jesus will say to them. “depart from me I never knew you.” DO YOU KNOW JESUS? Are you hoping your deeds are enough to get into heaven? “All our deeds are but filthy rags.” It’s not to late if you can read this. Jesus Christ the only Way, Truth, and Life.

    Report Post »  
    • Sandra
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:59pm

      There is no other way except through Him. Not many here will agree, but I am with you on this one.

      Report Post » Sandra  
  • drasner
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:38pm

    show us the flow of wealth distribution.

    Report Post »  
    • Chevalier
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:55pm

      That’s easy, draw a line from every city straight to Washington, DC. . . .all going in, nothing going out.

      Report Post » Chevalier  
    • Taxpaying Contributor
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 10:40pm

      Our Founders believed in the self interest of capitalism.
      Contrast that now to the “other-interest” of socialism.
      I would like to see satellite overlay graphic showing the flow
      of revenue generation and the outflow of expenditures.
      Where is the ebb and flow of the givers and the takers?

      Report Post » Taxpaying Contributor  
    • jagape
      Posted on June 21, 2012 at 3:09pm

      The richest people are not going to let that info become public. The richest 1% have several countries that they live and play in; plus have investments in. Most of the money is east of the Mississippi River, where most of the welfare is. Where most of the corruption is.

      Report Post »  
  • RougeFastFingers
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:38pm

    Lights added to pictures, gee how clever. (rolleyes)

    Report Post » RougeFastFingers  
  • blackyb
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:37pm

    People are envious because America has been blessed. They are wanting our blessings but have not earned them from God. It rains on the just and the unjust. Those who are coming here are not helping save this Republic and are wanting the goodies without the responsibility of work and sacrifice and putting God ahead of all things, your family and your country. They want to change this Republic to a goody factory that operates on a thoecracy like in their own country, but one that eliminates the one True and Just God who has blessed America. I say kick them out of this country and close the door. We need nothing they have. This is our country, Under God, Individible.

    Report Post » blackyb  
  • oceandove
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:31pm

    And just how much did this cost the taxpayers?

    Report Post »  
    • REPUB1
      Posted on June 19, 2012 at 7:13pm

      ohhhhh about 200 million measley dollars. nothing but a Drop in the BUCKET out of obummers Wallet.

      Report Post »  
  • stungun
    Posted on June 19, 2012 at 3:26pm

    Now I get the picture.

    Report Post »  
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