Ben Fried, Chief Information Officer for Google, has confirmed the rumors that its mapping satellite will be flying over Fresno on Monday, June 16th.

The flyover will take place at approximately 10:17 a.m. and snap 16.5 square kilometer photos of the Fresno metropolitan area in a matter of a few seconds.

"We don't publicize the location and timetable of our satellite imaging schedule for obvious reasons but will confirm reports of flyovers if asked to do so," said Fried. "We have been asked to confirm the Fresno flyover and are doing so."

Said Fried, "People tend to get funny ideas when they know the precise moment that a picture taking satellite will be overhead. Groups of people have been known to organize into patterns and symbols that will be easily identifiable on the Google Maps website."

He added that individuals will often just walk outside, look up to the sky, and gesture for the camera. Though these "personal statements" are too small to identify, Fried says he thinks it just makes people feel better to do it.