A free global exploration tool

Google Earth is a freeware PROGRAM that is used to discover the world in depth. Developed by Google, the program is accessible on Android, Apple Mac, Google Chrome, iOS, Linux, and Microsoft Windows devices. This application is a popular tool to use for professional and recreational purposes to better understand nature and cultures on our planet.

How do I open Google Earth?

The free platform can be used directly on PC devices to begin exploring. Google Earth is not a lightweight application because of the immense amount of information that is stored within the program. Satellite images are taken from outer space to view the planet holistically and intrinsically with details including the coordinates of where the cursor is placed on the map.

You can view Earth against the immense backdrop of starry space. People can experience a 360-degree view of the globe by holding down either the trackpad or left mouse button to maneuver the sphere in the direction they prefer. View the icy areas of the North and South ends of the world and all of the spaces in between.

Can I see my house on Google Earth?

While observing Earth with satellite imagery from afar may make the planet appear comprehensible, people can zoom into the landscapes to discover how immense the detailed globe actually is. The app has made discovery easy. If users are curious to see what their house looks like from above or at a street view, then they can type the address into the search bar to be redirected there.

In a swift motion, the software launches the viewer to their destination. The opportunities to view the terrain in 2D or 3D imagery are available. By toggling between these two perspectives, people can tilt the view, and experience locations 3 dimensionally. The 3D view raises mountains, trees, buildings, etc.

People can navigate their way through the realistic topography by using the arrows and the trackpad or mouse button. Upon arriving at their preferred places, users can click on the icon with a person to launch the street view capabilities within the software. The map will display light blue lines and dots that can be selected to direct them to that intimate viewpoint.

If Google Earth community members choose a blue dot, then they are brought to that spot by the software and have the ability to see a 360-degree view of that point. With the blue lines, people are able to perceive the swooping scenes and use arrows to move along the determined pathways.

Can I use Google Earth without downloading it?

To have the most user-friendly experience, you should download Google Earth. Given the extremely large amount of data that is within the platform, opening Google Earth on a web browser link will result in lagging. The application is adept at quickly responding to prompts and loading locations which results in more striking scenery to admire.

Is Google Earth real-time?

While the application is immensely impressive, Google Earth does not record and display real-time photographs nor video footage. An interesting aspect that Google Earth does offer is to see how maps have changed over time. The collection of pictures includes aerial, satellite, street view, and 3D imagery.

The entirety of the photos on Google Earth was not all captured by Google. The community can access photos of locations taken by individuals that use the software. Additionally, people are able to upload pictures of their own experiences to the platform.

Create customized maps

The program grants users the ability to personalize their maps. This feature can be accessed in the ‘Projects’ tab. Select the ‘New project’ button. To name and add a description to the arrangement, you just press the pencil icon. You then navigate to the search bar to find a preferable destination to include within this presentation. An ‘Add to project’ button is located beneath the destinations’ name.

Upon choosing to add that site to the project, users can name the title and select the appropriate project from the dropdown menu. To complete the process of adding that place to the presentation,  you have to press ‘Save’. While exploring the map, people may come across a spot that they wish to add to their project.

The ‘Placemark’ feature allows for the community to drop a pin on a specific place. Once the placemark has been dropped, a window will appear to prompt people to name the point. These distinct destinations can be edited within the project. You can include descriptive text, customized marks, personal pictures, and videos, etc.

You can also consider adjusting the default perspectives for the places into organized shapes, lines, and street views. The changes to the projects are saved in real-time. If not that, then you can look into sharing the creation with others by selecting the ‘Share project’ button and entering the desired email address or copying the shareable link. By clicking on the ‘Present’ button and then the arrows, creators can journey through their seamless presentation.

Google Earth virtual field trips

Within the ‘Voyager’ tab, users are able to select a guided tour from categories: ‘Nature’, ‘Games’, ‘Layers’, ‘Street View’, ‘Culture’, ‘Travel’, and ‘Education’. These voyages immerse people into new aspects of the world. Teachers use this feature to expand their students’ minds about planet Earth.

Alternative applications

ArcGIS, Bing Maps, Wander, and QGIS let people view maps on Earth. Google Earth Engine, Google Maps, and Google Earth Pro are additional freeware that Google provides to the public. Along with all of the aforementioned Google software, QGIS is free. ArcGIS, Bing Maps, and Wander have paid versions of their geographic information systems.

Explore the virtual world

Google Earth virtually scales the globe to provide astounding street and 3D views within an intuitive interface. The application supplies a multitude of creation tools such as personalizing presentations. People can access this exploration app for free with PC, Mac, iPad, and Android devices.

What’s new?

Google consistently provides updates to the platform by adding to the ‘Voyager’ category, improving the user interface, etc. To view their terms and privacy policy, people can visit their website.