Google Earth and Microsoft WorldWide Telescope

Google Earth and

Microsoft WorldWide TelescopeLaura Wilson

Reference LibrarianHenry Whittemore Library

November 4, 2009reference@framingham.edu

What is Google Earth?Free* (!) software program

Download from the internet at:http://earth.google.com/download-earth.html

A “virtual globe” that allows users to explore countless different features , including :

Urban and rural terrain 3D image models of popular terrain and buildings Places of interest Photos and videos related to a specific location Historical imagery, stars, celestial bodies,

underwater terrain, and much, much more!

How does it work?The software displays high-resolution aerial

photos and satellite imagery of the Earth’s surfaceVarying degrees of detail

More popular areas have better quality images United States and Europe images tend to be more

detailedImages range in currency

3 months – 5 years ago (not live images)

InstallationGetting Started

After you have downloaded the software, a Google Earth icon will be installed on your desktop.

Google Earth icon.

Click me!

Starting your searchThis is your starting point

Type address, location name,

or latitude / longitude co-

oridnates

Primary Results

Take a closer look

Use your mouse

wheel to get a closer look

A neighborhood of San Juan

Layers• Notice the “Layers” feature:

LayersLayers display different types of interesting

geographic contentFor example:

National Geographic Magazine layer: displays images and stories related to the area from NatGeo.

Panoramio layer: displays beautiful and interesting images related to the area.

YouTube layer: displays videos related to the area*Wikipedia layer: displays articles about the area3D Buildings – virtual models of actual buildingsMany more layers to explore!

Placemarks and ToursAdd a marker to particular places on the map

that you want to save or point out

Search the Google Earth Gallery to view pre-recorded tours of different areas or features Examples: World Cathedrals Tour, Tour de France,

Israel Tourist

Capability to record your own tours Add audio tracks of your voice to the tour!Share your tour with other Google Earth users!

Microsoft WorldWide Telescope

What is the WorldWide Telescope?Turn your computer into a virtual telescope!

View the sky, stars, planets, constellations, and more

View the precise location of the moon or a planet from anywhere on earth, during any time period

Take a narrated tour created by an astronomer or educator

Create your own tour!

Mission of the WorldWide Telescope

“To aggregate scientific data from major telescopes, observatories and institutions and make temporal and multi-spectral studies available through a single cohesive Internet–based portal.”

“To re-awaken the interest for science in the younger generations through astronomy and new technologies through the virtual observatory of the WWT. This also provides a wonderful base for teaching astronomy, scientific discovery, and computational science.”

(source: http://www.worldwidetelescope.org/WhatIs/WhatIsWWT.aspx?Page=InDepth)

How does it work?Download the software program to your

computer, or use it directly from the Web.If you use WWT directly from the web, you will

need to download Microsoft Silverlight 3.0 May be prompted to do so Fast download Helps media-rich sites run

http://www.worldwidetelescope.org

Introductory TourClick here to take an introductory tour using

WorldWide Telescope

http://www.worldwidetelescope.org/ExperienceIt/ExperienceIt.aspx

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Thank You!

Contact us!If you have any questions about these

technologies or research, please contact a Reference Librarian

See us in person at Reference Desk in the Library

Phone: 508-626-4654

Email: reference@framingham.edu

IM : fscrefdesk