Newly released images from Space Imaging's Ikonos satellite show cities around the world at a level of detail previously unavailable to commercial imaging satellites. Ikonos, launched in late September, is the first commercial satellite capable of taking one-meter-resolution images (which show surface details as small as 3.3 feet, or one meter, in length).

The following one-meter-resolution black-and-white image of Rome was taken on October 10. The Roman Coliseum is visible in the lower right quarter.

Below is a four-meter-resolution color image of Beijing, taken by Ikonos on October 22. Tiananmen Square is visible in the upper right quarter.

Photo credits: Space Imaging