What is Google Earth

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What is Google Earth

Google Earth uses satellite imagery based mapping which enables the user to view an accurate model of the world from a birds eye view. The user is able to locate a specific place in any part of the globe. This can be done by zooming in from outer space towards anywhere in the world to locate a country, state, city, suburb, street, house, car, or an even smaller object. It does this using digital elevation model (DEM) data collected by NASA's Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). It can view places in detail such as Times Square or the Sydney Harbour Bridge in three dimensions, instead of two dimensions like other map programs/sites.

The new version which can be easily downloaded off the internet now includes features like realistic 3D buildings, and the ability to view sunsets around the world. Places in the world of highest resolution on Google Earth include Melbourne, Australia, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Cambridge Massachusetts (as just some examples).

It is available in three different forms: Google Earth, which is free off the internet with limited functions; Google Earth Plus, which cost $20 US per year and includes additional features; and Google Earth Pro, which is $400 US per year and is more so for commercial use. Anybody can use Google Earth on their own personal computer running Microsoft Windows 2000, XP, or Vista, Mac OS X 10.3.9 and above, Linux, and FreeBSD. It is also an option to use Google Earth as a browser plugin for Firefox, IE6, or IE7.

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Last Modified 10/29/08 9:41 AM