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NV5 Geospatial Blog

Each month, NV5 Geospatial posts new blog content across a variety of categories. Browse our latest posts below to learn about important geospatial information or use the search bar to find a specific topic or author. Stay informed of the latest blog posts, events, and technologies by joining our email list!



Not All Supernovae Are Created Equal: Rethinking the Universe’s Measuring Tools

Not All Supernovae Are Created Equal: Rethinking the Universe’s Measuring Tools

6/3/2025

Rethinking the Reliability of Type 1a Supernovae   How do astronomers measure the universe? It all starts with distance. From gauging the size of a galaxy to calculating how fast the universe is expanding, measuring cosmic distances is essential to understanding everything in the sky. For nearby stars, astronomers use... Read More >

Using LLMs To Research Remote Sensing Software: Helpful, but Incomplete

Using LLMs To Research Remote Sensing Software: Helpful, but Incomplete

5/26/2025

Whether you’re new to remote sensing or a seasoned expert, there is no doubt that large language models (LLMs) like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini can be incredibly useful in many aspects of research. From exploring the electromagnetic spectrum to creating object detection models using the latest deep learning... Read More >

From Image to Insight: How GEOINT Automation Is Changing the Speed of Decision-Making

From Image to Insight: How GEOINT Automation Is Changing the Speed of Decision-Making

4/28/2025

When every second counts, the ability to process geospatial data rapidly and accurately isn’t just helpful, it’s critical. Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) has always played a pivotal role in defense, security, and disaster response. But in high-tempo operations, traditional workflows are no longer fast enough. Analysts are... Read More >

Thermal Infrared Echoes: Illuminating the Last Gasp of a Dying Star

Thermal Infrared Echoes: Illuminating the Last Gasp of a Dying Star

4/24/2025

This blog was written by Eli Dwek, Emeritus, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD and Research Fellow, Center for Astrophysics, Harvard & Smithsonian, Cambridge, MA. It is the fifth blog in a series showcasing our IDL® Fellows program which supports passionate retired IDL users who may need support to continue their work... Read More >

A New Era of Hyperspectral Imaging with ENVI® and Wyvern’s Open Data Program

A New Era of Hyperspectral Imaging with ENVI® and Wyvern’s Open Data Program

2/25/2025

This blog was written in collaboration with Adam O’Connor from Wyvern.   As hyperspectral imaging (HSI) continues to grow in importance, access to high-quality satellite data is key to unlocking new insights in environmental monitoring, agriculture, forestry, mining, security, energy infrastructure management, and more.... Read More >

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Image Analysis: Now Part of Hollywood’s Story

Anonym

Fourteen years ago, prior to the start of the “Global War on Terror”, image analysis was rarely something you would see in a Hollywood production or PrimeTime TV show. Somewhere along the way, there was a turning point and the writers and producers realized the image analysis and intelligence piece helps tell the story. While some of us have known this goes on in the background and helps lead to the big decisions/missions we see in movies, most of the viewers do not.

One of the first big movies I remember seeing this in was "Act of Valor" when a Raven UAV is launched and the Navy Seals are streaming a FMV (full motion video) feed and identifying targets prior to the raid. To the average person, that might seem like some sort of James Bond gadget, but to those in the field, it's known technology and a real capability. The next big Hollywood release that the intelligence piece caught my eye in was “Zero DarkThirty”, when the analysts are looking at the products created of Bin Laden’s compound and planning the raid. 3d models were then created from these products and later on it was learned that entire training compounds were modeled off of this information. Once the mission went live in the movie we saw the FMV/ drone feed again and POTUS watched a live stream as the Helo’s approached:

Fast forward to this year and “State of Affairs” had its first season launched. This show glamourized the intelligence field, and evenbrought in a small glimpse into weather monitoring. Almost every episode involves the intelligence opps room with a wide variety of analytics up from FMV feeds, weather feeds, IR images, and imagery of all sorts:

 

So why does any of this matter? While most of us have known for a while who work in or with the field, the value of image analytics and its role in stories that shape our world are finally getting the recognition and glory they deserve. The technology in the image analysis arena continues to grow and the possibilities are really becoming endless as to what you can track, detect, analyze, or really just watch. With the next gen technologies being flashed on TV shows and movies, I hope it plants a seed and starts to inspire the next generation who will really push the limits of our field and take the science that has formed what we know to the next level. Image analytics can be exciting and not only save lives, but save environments as a whole, and hopefully the more mainstream it becomes the further the envelope is pushed.  

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