Google Earth is a computer program that creates a 3D representation of the Earth based on satellite imagery. It creates maps by superimposing satellite, aerial photography, and GIS data to give users a detailed look at the Earth from many different perspectives. There are many uses for Google Earth. In this article, we’ll discuss the Satellite images, the Terrain layer, and Placemarks.
Satellite images
Since its launch last June, Google Earth has allowed anyone to view satellite images of the earth from anywhere in the world. These images contain everything from government buildings and military bases to utilities and homes. The imagery consists of about 15-meter resolution, and Google relies on digital elevation model data from NASA’s Shuttle Radar Topography Mission to create the impression of a three-dimensional terrain.
Satellite imagery can help you identify a particular place quickly. NASA’s GIBS and the NOAA’s Suomi-NPP satellites provide daily imagery. The latter offers high resolution images, which are useful for tracking storms and assessing damage to buildings. The images are also great for teaching kids and adults about remote sensing. Other sources of satellite imagery include ESA Online Dissemination and NEO. The INPE Catalog is another excellent resource for high resolution open data and satellite imagery. It covers Africa, Central America, and South America.
If you are concerned about the authenticity of Google images, you can check the source of the images. For example, Israel’s official website provides high-quality images of the country. The information is often not as detailed as a traditional map.
Terrain layer
The Terrain layer is an added layer to Google Earth that is used to show Earth landscapes in 3D. The layer is best used when the 3D Viewer is tilted horizontally to get the most immersive view of a given area. Each layer is composed of multiple vectors. The vector features can be assigned styles that control their color, opacity, and line thickness. Similarly, polygons can be filled or outlined.
The terrain data used to create the terrain layer in Google Earth is derived from satellite data and high-resolution terrain data. These datasets are then patched into the standard 10 and 30-meter derived images. As a result, the data used in creating the terrain layer in Google Earth is more detailed than the images available in standard Google Earth.
To view topographical maps in Google Earth, you first need to install the software. Once installed, select the Topo map layer from the ArcGIS Services Directory and select NGS Topo US 2D (MapServer) file. You can also adjust the opacity of the topo map layer. By changing the opacity, you can view the topo map only or the satellite image.
Placemarks
There are several ways to add and modify Placemarks in Google Earth. Users can adjust the height and extension to the ground of the placemark as well as customize the icon. Once added, the placemark appears on the map and is accessible in the 3D viewer. Users can also edit and organize placemarks in folders. These can then be used to create movies or tours.
Placemarks are useful for storing business and geographic information. These data can be shared with the rest of the Google Earth community. Google Maps supports the Google Places service online, but the functionality is the same in Google Earth. Placemarks are essentially tags that identify a particular location on Google Earth.
Once added, Placemarks are stored in the My Places folder. To change the Placemark’s name, click on it and choose a descriptive name. If you wish to change its icon, you can click on the trash can icon, which is red and contains a letter “T” in the middle. You can also edit the location’s description and icon by right-clicking on it.
To create a placemark, you must be in the desired location. If the area you want to place a placemark is large, use the “Add Polygon” icon. This will open the placemark window, where you can type a title and select the style of outline and fill. Your new placemark is visible in the 3D viewer.
Search
If you want to find a specific place in Google Earth, you can use the search bar. The search bar will return results based on a keyword you type in. Alternatively, you can use the ‘Best of Google Earth’ option to search the most popular placemarks created by Google users. Those results will be displayed as red pins in the viewer and search results section. However, there are certain formats that are preferred by Google Earth Pro, so be sure to use the right format when typing the search. For example, if you know the country and latitude/long coordinates, you will be more likely to get the correct result.
Another option is to use a GIS to search for a particular location. This option will allow you to search for a specific address or business name, or use GPS coordinates. The map will display relevant results in a map, and you can also explore specific neighborhoods using this tool. Once you find the location, you can view its satellite view.
Google Earth is an extremely useful tool to find locations on Earth. You can enter a name or business address in the search bar and Google will suggest possible matches for you. You can also type an address manually to find the exact location.
Voyager feature
Google’s new Voyager feature of Google Earth offers an interactive tour of many regions. Created in partnership with the BBC, Sesame Street and the Jane Goodall Institute, the Voyager collection is updated weekly and focuses on nature and the arts. Visitors can take photos and create postcards to share their travels. Voyager also features educational tools that can help kids learn more about the world around them.
Another feature new to Google Earth is Timelapse. This has existed separately for years, but Google has now integrated it into Google Earth. Voyager also has five thematic stories that will give you an overview of changes in the environment over the past several decades. These include forest changes, urban growth, mining, and renewable resources. Google also confirmed that Timelapse will be updated annually.
In addition to its detailed maps, the Voyager feature of Google Earth allows you to view live video feeds of select locations. The live video feeds will be displayed at the bottom of the satellite map. Voyager also lets you search for coordinates.
Customizability
One of the best features of Google Earth is its customization. You can change its opacity, color, and size. You can also edit its text and even save it as a KML or KMZ file. Customizability is available in the iOS and Android versions of Google Earth.
