Terms of Use

Public use of the data visualizations of RealEarth through its websites, devices, and API is freely available. However, there are three caveats:

Acknowledgement

Those who choose to use or integrate RealEarth imagery or data in presentations, displays, publications, websites, mobile apps, or any other type of use whether from the SSEC core installation of RealEarth or their own installation of a RealEarth VM are required to provide acknowledgement of their use of RealEarth with the following:  “Source: SSEC RealEarth, UW-Madison”.

Limited Availability

While the Space Science Engineering Center (SSEC) Satellite Data Services (SDS) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison makes its best effort to continually provide and update its products as new data becomes available, SSEC/SDS cannot guarantee availability of RealEarth products or services in part or in whole.

Many of the RealEarth products are generated using available geostationary and polar orbiting satellite data received in near real-time by the SSEC/SDS.  Other products are obtained as public domain data via the Internet and processed into web map tile services at SSEC/SDS.  However, there are many internal and external factors that can interrupt RealEarth product availability.  These include but are not limited to: 1) loss of source data from outside SSEC; 2) loss of power, cooling, or Internet at or within SSEC; and 3) hardware or software failure of the RealEarth system.

Furthermore, SSEC/SDS is not a 24/7 operation. Normal staffing hours are M-F 7:30 AM – 11:00 PM Central Time, except for holidays and staffing shortages due to sickness or schedule conflicts.  This is subject to change without notice.

General Warranties

The University makes no warranties, express or implied, as to any matter whatsoever, including, without limitation, the condition of RealEarth imagery and data, whether tangible or intangible, or developed under this agreement; or the merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement of RealEarth imagery and data.  The University shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, or other damages suffered by any person resulting from use of RealEarth imagery and data.

For questions, contact us at realearth@ssec.wisc.edu.