Google Earth Engine

Google Earth Engine (GEE) is a cloud-based platform that revolutionizes geospatial analysis by combining a vast catalog of satellite imagery and geospatial datasets with powerful analytical capabilities. This tool has become essential for researchers, scientists, and students across various disciplines at the University of Chicago.

Applications and Uses

GEE’s versatility makes it invaluable for a wide range of research areas:

Environmental Science: Researchers use GEE to monitor deforestation, assess climate change impacts, and analyze ecosystem dynamics.

Urban Studies: The platform enables detailed analysis of urban growth patterns, land use changes, and city planning initiatives.

Agricultural Research: GEE supports crop monitoring, yield prediction, and agricultural land use assessment.

Disaster Management: It aids in real-time monitoring of natural disasters, risk assessment, and recovery planning.

Climate Studies: Scientists leverage GEE to study long-term climate trends and their effects on various Earth systems.

Accessing Google Earth Engine at UChicago

For the UChicago community, there are several pathways to access Google Earth Engine:

Student Access

1. Check with your department about existing Google Cloud projects for Earth Engine.
2. If available, get access through faculty-provided URLs for Google Cloud education credits.
3. Apply for individual Google Cloud education credits if institutional access is not available.

Faculty Access

1. Apply for Google Cloud Platform Education Grants for your courses.
2. Once approved, you’ll receive credits and a URL to share with your students.
3. Request additional credits as needed for multiple courses or extended research projects.

Researcher Access

1. Submit a research proposal to Google Cloud for academic research credits.
2. Use free online training through Google Cloud Skills Boost.
3. Consider applying for the Google Cloud Research Innovator program for additional resources and networking opportunities.

UChicago Cloud Services Support

The University of Chicago ITS Cloud Services team provides support for setting up cloud accounts, including those for Google Cloud Platform (GCP) which is necessary for Earth Engine access. To request an account:

1. Visit https://cloudservices.its.uchicago.edu/cloud-accounts/
2. Complete the Cloud Request Form
3. The ITS Cloud Services team will review your request and guide you through the setup process

Getting Started with GEE

Once you have access, explore these resources to begin your GEE journey:

1. GEE Code Editor: https://code.earthengine.google.com/
2. GEE Developer Documentation: https://developers.google.com/earth-engine
3. GEE Data Catalog: https://developers.google.com/earth-engine/datasets