Quick overview of Google Earth
Google Earth as the name suggests it is a virtual that is unreal image of the planet earth. It includes the globe, map and even the geographic information about our planet. Earlier Google earth software was called Earth Viewer 3D. Keyhole, Inc was responsible for this software. Google acquired this company in 2004. This basic feature of this software is that it uses and superimposes the images which are obtained from the satellite or photography sources and even from global information systems.
Three different versions of Google Earth are available today. They are Google Earth, Google Earth plus and Google Earth Pro. Google Earth Pro is available at the rate of 4000$ per annum. This version is used mainly for commercial purposes. Google Earth is available in personal computers which have windows 2000 and further. Other options are Mac 0S X 10.3.9 and above, Linux Kernel 2.4 and free BSD. Google Earth is also available as a plug-in which can be browsed so it is known as browser plug-in. It is also available on iPhone OS. Both these features where released in the year 2008 in the months of May and October respectively. Due to Google Earth public became more and more interested in technologies which where related to geospatial technologies and their applications.
Google Earth has a system which enables it to display the satellite imagery for a variety of resolutions of the Earth’s surface obviously. Google Earth displays images of exceeding variety from the Earth to cities and forests too. The users and viewers have another option which enables them to look at the maps of cities and topography with a particular angle of 45 degrees that is at an oblique angle. It also comes with a feature which allows the users to see at oblique angles with a perspective. The resolutions of the maps which are available are based on the popularity of the regions. Even then barring the exception of islands a minimum resolution of 15 meters. The popular areas or regions for example Melbourne, Victoria, Las Vegas, Nevada, Cambridge, Cambridge shire has the highest resolution up to 15 cm. If the users want to search address of a particular place in the cities Google Earth allows that. Note this feature is only true for some cities.
Mostly Google earth has two dimensional images. The effect of three dimensional is created by the oblique angle. All things have their own perspectives and that is why the things which are far away seem smaller when observed in the horizontal plane. Only in the department of terrain and buildings of the cities three dimensional views are available. So the viewers can view the Grand Canyon or mount Everest etc can be viewed in three dimensional view. The resolution of these mountains are improved when the gaps in the SRTM coverage where filled with the help of DEM data.
Google Earth is available in a whooping 37 languages. Out of these thirty seven languages four are available in two variations. Google Earth is widely and successfully used in the field of disaster management. Google Earth has turned out as a great help to the student community.
Technorati Tags: Google earth, Google earth features, using Google earth
Tags: Google Earth
