3d model of Saturn for Google Earth v4beta - 1.7MB



This is a 3d textured model of Saturn created using Blender (for the globe texture mapping) and Google SketchUp, that's been scaled up so it completely encases the Google Earth Globe. I guess you could call it the brute force method of displaying imagery and data on Google Earth.

The benefit of doing this rather than using an overlay, is that I've been able to accurately model the oblateness of Saturn - i.e. the fact it has a 10% shorter polar diameter than equatorial diameter.

The rings use a PNG texture created in Paintshop Pro. This 3k PNG file contains both colour and transparency mapping.


Thanks to Valery35 for the polygon Saturn rings idea.

Texture credits. http://planetpixelemporium.com and Björn Jónsson - http://www.mmedia.is/~bjj/


James