Bellingcat maps satellites
Skill CasualSecurityInc/Bellingcat-OSINT-Toolkit/skills/bellingcat-maps-satellites
Curated AI agent skills for open-source intelligence investigations — 320+ tools from Bellingcat's Toolkit across 12 categories: geolocation, image/video forensics, social media, people search, transport tracking, conflict monitoring, data analysis & more.
npx -y skills add CasualSecurityInc/Bellingcat-OSINT-Toolkit --skill bellingcat-maps-satellitesAssembled from the repository path, not quoted from the project. Check it against their README if it does not work.
3 things to look at
- 25 days oldThe repository was created 25 days ago. New is not bad, but a brand new repository carrying a familiar-sounding name is the shape a typosquat arrives in, and there has been no time for anyone else to find a problem with it.
- no licenseNo license file was found in the repository. Code published without one is not open source by default, so using it at work is a question for whoever answers licensing questions where you are.
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What its author says it does
Copied from the file, not written here
Investigate locations using maps, satellite imagery, and street view. Search coordinates, analyze satellite data (Sentinel, NASA, Planet), explore street-level imagery, and compare map services globally. Use when the user mentions a location, coordinates, satellite image, map, street view, or geographic feature, even if they don't mention "maps" or "OSINT."
SKILL.md
25.0 KB, ~5.9k tokens by cl100k_base, as published. Nobody here has run it
Bellingcat Maps & Satellites Investigation Tools
Tools for geospatial analysis including web maps, satellite imagery platforms, and street view services. Cross-reference multiple sources to verify locations and track changes over time.
Choosing Tools
- Use map and street-view services to inspect a location; use satellite platforms when you need imagery, dates, or change over time.
- Compare at least two sources when coverage, imagery date, or geographic detail may affect the finding.
Tools
Maps
| Tool | Best for | Cost | Description | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Maps | A digital mapping service with detailed maps, satellite imagery, and location-based… | Free | Apple Maps is a digital mapping service with detailed maps, satellite imagery, and location-based information. | Details |
| Baidu Maps | Baidu’s mapping service offering satellite imagery, street maps, and streetview… | Free | Baidu’s mapping service offering satellite imagery, street maps, and streetview (“Panorama” - zh:百度全景). | Details |
| Bing Maps | A web mapping service provided by Microsoft that offers detailed geographical information… | Partially Free | Bing Maps is a web mapping service provided by Microsoft that offers detailed geographical information and tools for ... | Details |
| Convert Geographic Units | A tool that converts various geographic coordinates to support diverse mapping and spatial… | Free | A tool that converts various geographic coordinates to support diverse mapping and spatial analysis needs. | Details |
| F4Map | An interactive 3D map visualization tool that provides detailed rendering of urban… | Free | F4Map is an interactive 3D map visualization tool that provides detailed rendering of urban landscapes and geographic... | Details |
| Gaode Maps | (also known as AMap) is a mapping application and technology from the Chinese company… | Free | Gaode Maps (also known as AMap) is a mapping application and technology from the Chinese company Alibaba. | Details |
| Gjirafa | Mapping service for Albania (specially Kosovo) | Free | Mapping service for Albania (specially Kosovo) | |
| Global Forest Watch | Explore tree cover loss and gain data, recent deforestation and fire alerts, land use… | Free | Explore tree cover loss and gain data, recent deforestation and fire alerts, land use designations, carbon emissions,... | Details |
| Google Maps | Mapping information, satellite imagery and Google Street View imagery including historical… | Free | Google Maps provides mapping information, satellite imagery and Google Street View imagery including historical Stree... | Details |
| GovMap | An interactive map of Israel, offering users a wide range of data including property… | Free | GovMap provides an interactive map of Israel, offering users a wide range of data including property boundaries, plan... | Details |
| HERE WeGo | Mapping service similar to Google Maps or Apple Maps. | Free | Mapping service similar to Google Maps or Apple Maps. | Details |
| Hitta.se | Mapping service for Sweden | Free | Mapping service for Sweden | Details |
| Kakao Map | A mapping application provided by South Korean technology company Kakao Corp. | Free | A mapping application provided by South Korean technology company Kakao Corp. | |
| MapChecking | This tool helps you estimate and fact-check the maximum number of people standing in a… | Free | This tool helps you estimate and fact-check the maximum number of people standing in a given area. | Details |
| Mapillary | A crowdsourced street-level imagery platform. | Free | Mapillary is a crowdsourced street-level imagery platform. | Details |
| MapSwitcher | Chrome extension switches between online map apps, maintaining (as far as possible) the… | Free | Chrome extension switches between online map apps, maintaining (as far as possible) the map centre, zoom level, & di... | Details |
| mapy.cz | Mapping service for Czechia | Free | Mapping service for Czechia | |
| Maritime Awareness Project | South China Sea maps with oil and gas fields, fishing areas, air defense zones and… | Free | South China Sea maps with oil and gas fields, fishing areas, air defense zones and administrative, claimed, disputed ... | |
| NASA Firms | Displays a world map overlaid with infra-red data from one or more satellites, some, but… | Free | Displays a world map overlaid with infra-red data from one or more satellites, some, but not all of which may represe... | Details |
| OpenInfraMap | Power lines, telecoms, solar, oil, gas & water infrastructure mapped globally. | Free | Power lines, telecoms, solar, oil, gas & water infrastructure mapped globally. | |
| OpenSeaMap | Sea map of borders, special zones, shipping lanes, with overlays of MarineTraffic and… | Free | Sea map of borders, special zones, shipping lanes, with overlays of MarineTraffic and other sources | |
| OpenStreetMap | A collaborative project to create a free editable map of the world. | Free | OpenStreetMap is a collaborative project to create a free editable map of the world. | |
| Bellingcat OpenStreetMap Search | A user interface to search OpenStreetMap data for features in proximity to each other. | Free | A user interface to search OpenStreetMap data for features in proximity to each other. | Details |
| Overpass Turbo | A web-based tool for querying and visualizing OpenStreetMap crowd sourced data, aiding in… | Free | Overpass Turbo is a web-based tool for querying and visualizing OpenStreetMap crowd sourced data, aiding in extractin... | Details |
| PeakVisor | Dual window views for any global location: (1) a 2-D map & (2) a 3-D rendered terrain… | Free | Dual window views for any global location: (1) a 2-D map & (2) a 3-D rendered terrain model, with photo fitting, shad... | Details |
| QGIS | A free Open Source Geographic Information System (GIS). | Free | QGIS is a free Open Source Geographic Information System (GIS). | Details |
| Quick geolocation search | A tool that brings several maps into one place for easy location search. | Free | A tool that brings several maps into one place for easy location search. | Details |
| Satellites.pro | Open source researchers to quickly switch between several free satellite imagery and… | Free | Satellites.pro allows open source researchers to quickly switch between several free satellite imagery and mapping se... | Details |
| ShadeMap | A global simulation of mountain, building & tree shadows for a given date & time. | Partially Free | ShadeMap is a global simulation of mountain, building & tree shadows for a given date & time. Base data is free, but ... | Details |
| ShadowMap | Global map of 3D buildlings and the shadows they cast at a specific time a day | Free | Global map of 3D buildlings and the shadows they cast at a specific time a day | Details |
| Strava | A fitness tracking platform where publicly shared GPS activity data can reveal movement… | Partially Free | A fitness tracking platform where publicly shared GPS activity data can reveal movement patterns, routines, and preci... | Details |
| Tencent Maps | (formerly SOSO Maps) is a desktop and web mapping service application and technology… | Free | Tencent Maps (formerly SOSO Maps) is a desktop and web mapping service application and technology provided by Chinese... | Details |
| Topotijdreis.nl | Over 200 years of maps and topography from the Netherlands. | Free | Over 200 years of maps and topography from the Netherlands. | |
| UTM grid zones | An overview of the Universal Transverse Mercator coordinate system. | Free | An overview of the Universal Transverse Mercator coordinate system. | |
| what3words | A proprietary geocode system which identifies any location on the surface of the earth to… | Free | A proprietary geocode system which identifies any location on the surface of the earth to a resolution of 3 metres. T... | Details |
| Wikimapia | Was a long-running collaborative mapping project that remains partially accessible,… | Free | Wikimapia was a long-running collaborative mapping project that remains partially accessible, providing open source r... | Details |
| Yandex Maps | A platform offering detailed maps, satellite imagery, street views (static & sometimes… | Partially Free | A platform offering detailed maps, satellite imagery, street views (static & sometimes dynamic imagery, including aer... | Details |
Satellite Imagery
| Tool | Best for | Cost | Description | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baidu Maps | Baidu’s mapping service offering satellite imagery, street maps, and streetview… | Free | Baidu’s mapping service offering satellite imagery, street maps, and streetview (“Panorama” - zh:百度全景). | Details |
| Bing Maps | A web mapping service provided by Microsoft that offers detailed geographical information… | Partially Free | Bing Maps is a web mapping service provided by Microsoft that offers detailed geographical information and tools for ... | Details |
| Earth Explorer | Query and order satellite images, aerial photographs, and cartographic products from USGS | Partially Free | Query and order satellite images, aerial photographs, and cartographic products from USGS | |
| Earth Online | The ESA's Earth Online product offers a portal for accessing satellite imagery and… | Free | The ESA's Earth Online product offers a portal for accessing satellite imagery and environmental data, supporting a r... | Details |
| EOS Landviewer | Free services for up to 10 images. | Paid | EOS Landviewer provides free services for up to 10 images. More images and analysis are available to journalists at a... | |
| Google Earth Engine | A platform for environmental monitoring and analysis through satellite imagery and… | Partially Free | Google Earth Engine is a platform for environmental monitoring and analysis through satellite imagery and geospatial ... | Details |
| Google Earth Pro | Google Earth is a geospatial tool that provides detailed, global satellite imagery, maps,… | Partially Free | Google Earth is a geospatial tool that provides detailed, global satellite imagery, maps, 3D terrain models, and the ... | Details |
| Google Maps | Mapping information, satellite imagery and Google Street View imagery including historical… | Free | Google Maps provides mapping information, satellite imagery and Google Street View imagery including historical Stree... | Details |
| GovMap | An interactive map of Israel, offering users a wide range of data including property… | Free | GovMap provides an interactive map of Israel, offering users a wide range of data including property boundaries, plan... | Details |
| HERE WeGo | Mapping service similar to Google Maps or Apple Maps. | Free | Mapping service similar to Google Maps or Apple Maps. | Details |
| Index Database | A database which relates remote sensing indices with satellite imaging sensors | Free | A database which relates remote sensing indices with satellite imaging sensors | Details |
| Mapa.sk | Mapping service for Slovakia | Free | Mapping service for Slovakia | |
| Mappy | Mapping service (and streetview in a couple of French cities \double check this!) | Free | Mapping service (and streetview in a couple of French cities [double check this!]) | |
| MapSwitcher | Chrome extension switches between online map apps, maintaining (as far as possible) the… | Free | Chrome extension switches between online map apps, maintaining (as far as possible) the map centre, zoom level, & di... | Details |
| NASA Worldview | An online tool for visualizing and downloading near real-time satellite imagery and… | Free | NASA Worldview is an online tool for visualizing and downloading near real-time satellite imagery and scientific data... | Details |
| OpenAerialMap | Platform for accessing open-licensed satellite and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery | Free | Platform for accessing open-licensed satellite and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery | Details |
| OrbTrack | Predicts & describes the position & path of >10K satellites in Earth orbit, relative to… | Free | Predicts & describes the position & path of >10K satellites in Earth orbit, relative to points on the earth's surface... | Details |
| Planet Labs | PBC is an American optical satellite imagery company that sells access to imagery. | Partially Free | Planet Labs PBC is an American optical satellite imagery company that sells access to imagery. | Details |
| QGIS | A free Open Source Geographic Information System (GIS). | Free | QGIS is a free Open Source Geographic Information System (GIS). | Details |
| Radar Interference Tracker | Bellingcat's radar interference tracker can be used to locate and monitor active military… | Free | Bellingcat's radar interference tracker can be used to locate and monitor active military radar systems. | Details |
| RAMMB SLIDER | Real-time weather satellites of the entire globe | Free | Real-time weather satellites of the entire globe | Details |
| Satellites.pro | Open source researchers to quickly switch between several free satellite imagery and… | Free | Satellites.pro allows open source researchers to quickly switch between several free satellite imagery and mapping se... | Details |
| Copernicus Browser (formerly Sentinel Hub Playground, EO Browser) | A free web-based platform for viewing, analyzing, and downloading satellite imagery from… | Free | A free web-based platform for viewing, analyzing, and downloading satellite imagery from the European Space Agency's ... | Details |
| SkyFi | Used to purchase commercial satellite imagery and task (order the collection of images)… | Paid | SkyFi is used to purchase commercial satellite imagery and task (order the collection of images) satellites without a... | Details |
| Tencent Maps | (formerly SOSO Maps) is a desktop and web mapping service application and technology… | Free | Tencent Maps (formerly SOSO Maps) is a desktop and web mapping service application and technology provided by Chinese... | Details |
| Umbra Space | Umbra is an American synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite imaging company that sells… | Paid | Umbra is an American synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite imaging company that sells on-demand taskings for satel... | Details |
| what3words | A proprietary geocode system which identifies any location on the surface of the earth to… | Free | A proprietary geocode system which identifies any location on the surface of the earth to a resolution of 3 metres. T... | Details |
| Yandex Maps | A platform offering detailed maps, satellite imagery, street views (static & sometimes… | Partially Free | A platform offering detailed maps, satellite imagery, street views (static & sometimes dynamic imagery, including aer... | Details |
Street View
| Tool | Best for | Cost | Description | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baidu Maps | Baidu’s mapping service offering satellite imagery, street maps, and streetview… | Free | Baidu’s mapping service offering satellite imagery, street maps, and streetview (“Panorama” - zh:百度全景). | Details |
| Bing Maps | A web mapping service provided by Microsoft that offers detailed geographical information… | Partially Free | Bing Maps is a web mapping service provided by Microsoft that offers detailed geographical information and tools for ... | Details |
| Carte.ma | Mapping/streetview service for Morocco | Free | Mapping/streetview service for Morocco | |
| GeoHints | A website that provides information about things like traffic lights, utility poles,… | Free | GeoHints is a website that provides information about things like traffic lights, utility poles, bollards etc. for di... | Details |
| Google Earth Pro | Google Earth is a geospatial tool that provides detailed, global satellite imagery, maps,… | Partially Free | Google Earth is a geospatial tool that provides detailed, global satellite imagery, maps, 3D terrain models, and the ... | Details |
| Google Maps | Mapping information, satellite imagery and Google Street View imagery including historical… | Free | Google Maps provides mapping information, satellite imagery and Google Street View imagery including historical Stree... | Details |
| KartaView | A crowdsourced platform for street view imagery. | Free | KartaView is a crowdsourced platform for street view imagery. | Details |
| Mapillary | A crowdsourced street-level imagery platform. | Free | Mapillary is a crowdsourced street-level imagery platform. | Details |
| MapSwitcher | Chrome extension switches between online map apps, maintaining (as far as possible) the… | Free | Chrome extension switches between online map apps, maintaining (as far as possible) the map centre, zoom level, & di... | Details |
| Photo-Map.RU | Geotagged VK posts. | Free | Geotagged VK posts. | |
| Tencent Maps | (formerly SOSO Maps) is a desktop and web mapping service application and technology… | Free | Tencent Maps (formerly SOSO Maps) is a desktop and web mapping service application and technology provided by Chinese... | Details |
| Wikimapia | Was a long-running collaborative mapping project that remains partially accessible,… | Free | Wikimapia was a long-running collaborative mapping project that remains partially accessible, providing open source r... | Details |
| Yandex Maps | A platform offering detailed maps, satellite imagery, street views (static & sometimes… | Partially Free | A platform offering detailed maps, satellite imagery, street views (static & sometimes dynamic imagery, including aer... | Details |
Investigation Tips
- Cross-reference locations across multiple map services (Google, Yandex, Baidu, Tencent) for areas where coverage varies
- Use satellite imagery time-series (Copernicus Browser, NASA Worldview, Google Earth Engine) to identify changes over time
- Combine street view platforms (Google Street View, Mapillary, KartaView, Yandex) for wider coverage
- Use Overpass Turbo and OpenStreetMap Search to find specific features near a location
- Shadow analysis tools (SunCalc, ShadowMap, ShadeMap) help verify photo/video timestamps and locations