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Google Earth's best feature is its easy to use capabilities, as well as its easy accessibility. It allows the user to superimpose images from satellites, aerial photography and Geographic Imagery System (GIS) in the form of a 3D globe, which means viewing in three dimensions and not just two, like other mapping programs that are available. What this means is that the world can be viewed with a 'birds eye view'. Users can pinpoint particular places around the world with ease, and enjoy the added bonus of being able to refine searches, that include options such 'street view' to gain a clearer idea of the area they are looking at.

The new Google Earth 5.0 allows the user not only access to previous viewing capabilities that allows the viewer a 3D view of the planet, but also "go to" the moon, mars and below the oceans surface, using up to date imagery. This can be used in conjunction with the layers of mapping information, which allows for roads, shopping and services, geographic features, 3D buildings, petrol, food and accommodation among others to be turned on to add to the viewing experience.

While you can click on many icons and learn information about anywhere another interesting feature of Google Earth 5.0 is that users can print, save and email images or views, which can be utilised in any number of ways. Visit either the Google Earth user guide site to learn how to utilise the tool or follow this step by step run-through on how get the best out of it.

The diagram below shows some of the features to be found in Google Earth:

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1. Search panel - Use this to find places and directions and manage search results. Google Earth EC may display additional tabs here.

2. Overview map - Use this for an additional perspective of the Earth.

3. Hide/Show sidebar - Click this to conceal or the display the side bar (Search, Places and Layers panels).

4. Placemark - Click this to add a placemark for a location.

5. Polygon - Click this to add a polygon.

6. Path - Click this to add a path (line or lines).

7. Image Overlay - Click this to add an image overlay on the Earth.

8. Measure - Click this to measure a distance or area size.

9. Sun - Click this to display sunlight across the landscape.

10. Sky - Click this to view stars, constellations, galaxies, planets and the Earth's moon.

11. Email - Click this to email a view or image.

12. Print - Click this to print the current view of the Earth.

13. Show in Google Maps - Click this to show the current view in Google Maps in your web browser.

14. Navigation controls - Use these to zoom, look and move around (Click here to find out more).

15. Layers panel - Use this to display points of interest.

16. Places panel - Use this to locate, save, organize and revisit placemarks.

17. Add Content - Click this to import exciting content from the KML Gallery

18. 3D Viewer - View the globe and its terrain in this window.

19. Status bar - View coordinate, elevation, imagery date and streaming status here.

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Page designed by Sue O'Shaughnessy & David Cole as part of the

EDET 3302 Learning with Computers course at Flinders University.

We invite Cegsa members and other students to contribute to this page.

What Are Its Features?