Google Sightseeing takes you on tour of the world as seen from satellite, using the free Google Earth program, or Google Maps in your web browser. Each weekday your guides James and Alex present new weird and wonderful sights as suggested by readers.

The editors: James & Alex

Weird Writing

Wednesday, 8th June 2005 by James

Please note that some or all of the objects mentioned in this post are no longer visible on Google Earth or Google Maps.

Somewhere in the middle of Utah we find this giant writing overlaying the photograph (make sure to zoom right in - it’s very big). The text reads “40 NAIP03 01026-44″ so appears to be a unique tag for that section of the map and has been warped by the process of stitching the image to the adjacent photos.

Again in Utah there is a similar site although this second example has been partially obscured by the image tile above.

Weird Writing 1 Weird Writing 2

Thanks: Tony & Steve

20 Responses to 'Weird Writing'

  1. 1. robertw says:

    whats interesting about this is that the numbers appear to hug the terrain so there must be some form of 3D data being stored- which of course is the keyhole software - GoogleMaps2007 3D Edition Pro. Bring it on!

    Or…They could be giant letters on the actual ground…hmm. But you can’t expect Google to proofread all the maps, how long would that take!?

  2. 2. zmarties says:

    There is another example just to the west at

    Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth

    and more such examples to be found at

    Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth
    Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth

  3. 3. XF says:

    There’s also Placemark: a very small black hole / Google Earth!
    And going west from the second writing there’s another one. I saw another one around there but lost the coordinates…

  4. 4. Robb says:

    What the? I suggested something just like that…well, similar. All i want is to be appreasiated…(sob)

  5. 5. Shi Ju says:

    We’ve been tagged… Fcuk!

  6. 6. martinh says:

    Well, googling a bit seems to lead to: http://www.apfo.usda.gov/NAIP.html which appears to be the pages for the US Department of Agriculter Aerial Photography Field Office’s National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP). Specifically the 2003 seems to be the 2003 set of images based on http://www.apfo.usda.gov/NAIP03%20Quarter%20Quad%20State%20Links.html

  7. 7. Yorgle says:

    It’s probably just an identifier (like the “black holes” recently) on the original image that didn’t get replaced by other image data from other frames.

    The texture is because the software that stiched the together probably takes into account a DEM (elevation model) so that things will stich properly based on their altitude. If you didn’t do that then two oblique images who have edges that need to be stitched will not line up properly

  8. 8. Brandon says:

    Since this is a defect in the image-stitching program, and not actual large type on the landscape, doesn’t this post belong more in “Weird” than in “Large Type”?

  9. 9. izzy says:

    No, it has to be UFO’s Just like the orbs in Florida!!! There is no other explanation!!!!!

  10. 10. Derek says:

    (Recycling from the “UFO” research) Keep in mind these images are purposely distorted to account for elevation changes and the angle the photo was taken at (or at least the angle of that portion of the original frame)

    This article goes into some detail on the process.

    http://www.esri.com/news/arcuser/1001/standup.html

    Still an awesome find.

  11. 11. James says:

    Good point Brandon - I’ve re-categorized the post.

  12. 12. Kristian Hermansen says:

    There is a miltary base at this location…

  13. 13. Jason says:

    Someone want to tell Google about all the stuff that people with an awful lot of time on their hands keep finding? ;)

  14. 14. Michele says:

    Jason, I’m sure Google is watching.

    /Big Brother? ;-)

  15. 15. Keith T. says:

    As someone pointed out, Keyhole integrates elevation (topo) data into its maps. This allows it to do a sort of mostly-3D view of an area (it only really stands out in canyons, though) using the Keyhole software.

  16. 16. Chris D. says:

    01026 - 4440, clearly a long technical zipcode. 03 is for the year it was taken and Naip - is a city code it could only be for Naples - a city in Eastern utah, Check to see if it’s near any forests (Dinosaur National Forest) if so that’s true, this is what it’ for.

  17. 17. Romy says:

    I cant help dat i fell from heaven it wasnt ma chocie, but yoo no.. the halo actally fits

  18. 18. jess says:

    hello there i like this web site there is not much more to say

  19. 19. tezza says:

    recycling shuid happen or the world will be devasted with global warmin lol.

  20. 20. megan says:

    lil miss bennett ‘n’ lishman

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