9/11 From The Sky

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has recently released thousands of photos, some never-before-seen, of the collapse of the World Trade Center in 2001.Greg Semendinger / NYPD / ABC / AP

The NIST, a government laboratory which normally helps develop standards and measurements for technology, conducted a detailed investigation of the physical destruction of the buildings.Greg Semendinger / NYPD / ABC / AP

As part of this effort, the NIST requested photographs of the event from the public — whether they were taken by amateurs or professionals.Greg Semendinger / NYPD / ABC / AP

ABC News got wind of this photography project and filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to get the images released. FOIA is a law that ensure public access to government documents.Greg Semendinger / NYPD / ABC / AP

Eventually, ABC received a package of 2,779 photos. These samples are all taken by Detective Greg Semendinger from the NYPD Aviation Unit.Greg Semendinger / NYPD / ABC / AP

Thick dust and smoke rush through downtown Manhattan.Greg Semendinger / NYPD / ABC / AP

Hundreds of buildings are covered in pale white soot.Greg Semendinger / NYPD / ABC / AP

9/11 From The Sky

Tragedy

Falling

Evidence

Investigate

Bird’s Eye

Wave

Aftermath

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