Google Earth – displays beautiful satellite images
Google Earth is software developed by Google inc. to display the satellite images of different resolutions allowing viewing earth’s surface, to allow users to view cities and houses perpendicularly or in any angle the user wish to. The resolution is based on the interest and popularity. However, the surface is covered in at least 15 meter’s of resolution. Google earth allows user to find addresses for some countries by entering the co-ordinates such as, place to view, city, state, country or just by using mouse to browse the location.
The images available are 2D as well as 3D. Large part of the earth’s surface is available in 2D for most vertical images. The objects that are horizontally far away are seen smaller, but it is like viewing a large photograph. Images of terrain, buildings can be obtained in 3D. The data is collected with the help of NASA’s Shuttle Radar Topography Mission. Due to which, we can view Mt. Everest and other terrain in three-dimensional rather than two-dimensional like other areas. Many people use this application to add their own data, making them available through various sources.
Google earth has the capacity to show 3D building and other structures with the help of few 3D programs. It was developed to help the local governing bodies to carry out their town planning with the highest resolution realistic photos available on Google. Recently one more feature is added to monitor the traffic speed at loops located every 200 yards.
Google earth has two types of views available in it. One of the views is Sky view. In sky view, the user is able to view the stars and the celestial bodies. This was developed by Google in partnership with Space Telescope Sciences Institute, and science operations center for Hubble Space Telescope. The color images generated by Hubble telescope are added to the sky view program as soon as they are issued. An even educational resource, multi-wavelength data, positioning major satellites is possible by the sky-view program of Google earth. The other view is the Street view. The street view provides 360-degree street level view that allows users to view different part of cities and surroundings at ground level. These photos are taken using the camera attached in the automobile and it can be navigated with the help of mouse. These photos can be used to see the direction of travel. The street view program is placed in the cars to provide the direction to help the driver get the correct direction to reach his destination. The photos can be viewed in different sizes, in any angle and from any directions.
As Google Earth is providing the images of almost any structure in the world, due to which it has been caught in several controversies. Many groups including the defense officials have criticized the software. According to them, it is creating a threat to national security. Information can be viewed for terrorist activities. Some citizens show concerns over aerial information showing their properties and residences.
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