Google Earth

Google Earth
Name	Google Earth
Developer	Google
Released	June 2005
Operating system	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Genre	Virtual globe
License	Freeware

Google Earth. It is a computer program that renders a 3D representation of Earth based primarily on satellite imagery. The program maps the planet by superimposing images obtained from satellite imagery, aerial photography, and geographic information system data onto a 3D globe, allowing users to see cities and landscapes from various angles. Users can explore the globe by entering addresses and coordinates, or by using a keyboard or mouse, and can view satellite imagery, maps, terrain, 3D buildings, and features from outer space to the ocean floor.

Overview

The platform provides a detailed virtual globe and geobrowser that integrates a vast array of geospatial data. It allows for the visualization of complex datasets on topics ranging from climate change to archaeological sites. Key components include the base satellite imagery, Street View panoramas, and user-generated content through platforms like Google Earth Community. The software is available as a desktop application, a mobile app for Android and iOS devices, and a web browser version accessible through Google Chrome.

History

The core technology originated from Keyhole, Inc., a company founded in 2001 and funded in part by the CIA's venture capital arm, In-Q-Tel. Their flagship product, EarthViewer 3D, was used notably by broadcasters like CNN during coverage of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Google acquired Keyhole in 2004 and relaunched the technology as Google Earth in 2005. Subsequent versions introduced Ocean layer, historical imagery tools, and a streamlined web version. Major updates have included integration with NASA data, the Voyager storytelling feature, and the creation of a high-fidelity 3D mode using data from aircraft in the Google Earth 3D Cities program.

Features

Primary features include detailed 3D terrain and buildings for thousands of cities, created using photogrammetry from aerial imagery. The Street View layer offers ground-level panoramic photography for countless roads and trails. Users can create and share custom placemarks, paths, and polygons using KML files. The Voyager mode presents interactive guided tours on subjects like UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Jane Goodall's work with chimpanzees. Additional layers display real-time data such as weather patterns, ship traffic, and National Geographic content. The "I'm Feeling Lucky" feature transports users to a random location of interest.

Technology

The imagery is sourced from providers like DigitalGlobe, Airbus Defence and Space, and NASA's Landsat program. The 3D mesh for cities is generated using stereophotogrammetry techniques applied to aerial imagery captured by aircraft. The software employs a sophisticated streaming protocol to deliver imagery and geometry based on the user's viewport, caching data locally for performance. It uses a modified version of the WGS84 geodetic datum for its global coordinate system. The transition to a WebGL-based version in 2017 allowed it to run within modern web browsers without requiring a plugin.

Impact and applications

It has become a vital tool in fields such as cartography, urban planning, and environmental science. Educators use it extensively in geography and history classes to provide spatial context. Journalists and NGOs, such as Amnesty International, have used it to document human rights abuses and environmental degradation, like deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. It has aided in disaster response, allowing organizations like the Red Cross to assess damage from events like the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Archaeologists have used it to discover potential sites, including a Roman villa in the United Kingdom.

Controversies and criticism

The software has raised significant national security concerns for governments worldwide. Countries like India, South Korea, and Thailand have expressed alarm over the detailed depiction of sensitive locations such as military bases, nuclear power plants, and government buildings. There have been instances where the software revealed classified installations, such as a suspected Chinese submarine base. Privacy advocates have criticized the inclusion of identifiable individuals and private property in Street View imagery. Furthermore, the accuracy of borders and place names has sparked diplomatic incidents, particularly in disputed regions like Kashmir and the South China Sea.

Category:Google services Category:Virtual globes Category:2005 software