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What's New in Google Earth?
Each month we highlight the newest additions to Google Earth content and news. If you haven't been subscribing to Sightseer for long, check the forum for previous editions.
More on Google Earth 5.0
Last month's issue of Sightseer mentioned the release of Google Earth 5.0 which was released on February 2, 2009. Google Earth 5.0 has many exciting new features that enable users to dive into the ocean, take a trip to Mars, experience time travel, and create narrated tours. And, you can also import GPS track information directly from your GPS receiver, quickly and easily. This functionality was previously only available to Google Earth Plus subscribers but is now available to everyone. Over 200 GPS receivers are now supported. Read More. Here are some initial reviews of Google Earth 5.0: Google Earth Blog, Digital Earth Blog, OgleEarth, PC World.
Google Earth 5.0 Announcement Video
Google Earth 5.0 was announced on February 2nd at the California Academy of Sciences. We thought some Google Earth fans might be interested to watch the announcement event. Speakers included: Greg Farrington (of the California Academy of Sciences), Dr. Eric Schmidt (CEO of Google), John Hanke (Director of Google Geo), Vice President Al Gore, Dr. Sylvia Earle (noted oceanographer from National Geographic Society), Terry Garcia, Marissa Mayer (VP of Google), and Jimmy Buffett (noted ocean musician!). Here is the official video of the event (01:18 in length).
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In-Depth Look at Ocean in Google Earth
Over the next few months, we'll be exploring each of the major new Google Earth 5.0 features. This month, we're going to explore Ocean.
First, Google Earth now has 3D Ocean bathymetry. Those new blue ocean floor images are not just a 2D relief map - they are 3D terrain. First, make sure the Terrain layer is turn on. Move your mouse over the ocean and you'll see below-sea-level elevations (negative numbers). Start flying towards the ocean and tilt your view. You can now see an ocean surface, and its even possible to see waves moving on the surface.
The real pleasure comes when you fly under the sea surface. You can see both the 3D sea floor terrain and also see the surface above you for a real submarine-like experience!
Google also released many new ocean-related layers. Look under the Layer pane in the lower left for a new "Ocean" layer folder. The folder contains a number of interesting new layers including material from National Geographic, Cousteau Society, BBC, NOAA, and more. There are locations of shipwrecks, tracks for ocean expeditions, GPS tracks of sea animals, and lots of information about the ocean environment. Read more.
The Ocean layers provide plenty of interesting material to read and watch, but how about some 3D? The Google SketchUp team built a series of 3D models to add more to the Ocean. A sample of the 3D ocean objects can be seen by downloading this KML file  (Be sure to turn on the 3D Buildings layer). The file is a simple placemark tour of the models placed around the oceans. They can also be viewed in the 3D Warehouse in the Google Earth - Ocean Layer collection. There are a few outstanding 3D models to be found in this collection such as the R.M.S. Titanic, German Battleship Bismarck and Aquarius Underwater Laboratory. Additional features such as other submarines, shipwrecks, and dive destinations can be found. Also of interest is the presence of ocean creatures such as whales and squid. The new Ocean features of Google Earth 5.0 are fun to explore, and educational as well.
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Featured Recorded Tours
Another interesting new feature in Google Earth 5.0 is Record Tour. This is not a video feature, but rather a new Google Earth 5.0 capability that allows users to record and play back KML sessions. This feature allows users to capture navigation through Google Earth in real-time, without using placemarks, narrate virtual journeys and share them with ease. It is also possible to save tours and trips so you can reuse them and share them with others.
But, there is even more power hidden in the Tour function for those willing to learn more. Some really amazing tours have already been developed, here are just a few examples:
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Tips & Tricks:
With the new Ocean layer, there's now so much more of the Earth to explore. But navigating underwater, and dipping above and below the ocean's surface, can take a bit of getting used to. Here are a few tips:
- Make sure that the Terrain layer is turned on and the water surface is visible (go to View > Water Surface).
- Diving underwater from the regular "top-down" view might seem a little disorienting. It's best to tilt your view first, so your view is almost parallel to the ocean's surface.
- When you're under the surface, you can "swim" around the same way that you'd navigate if you weren't underwater. Be sure to tilt your view upward to check out the ocean's surface from below.
- To come above water again, click anywhere on the ocean's surface. Tilting your view upward from that point will allow you to "come up for air."
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News from Outreach
Story Feature - Creating a Narrated Guided Tour
With the launch of Google Earth 5.0 on February 2nd came several powerful new tools of  particular use to the non-profit community. One of these, is the ability to record and narrate a tour (whether that be something simple or something to make Steven Spielberg quake in his boots!).
One of our grantees, Appalachian Voices has put this new tool to great use to create a narrated tour of the Hobet Mine complex in Google Earth, allowing users to sit back, relax, and learn about their cause. To view this tour, simply click on the following link and make sure to your computer's speakers are on and the volume is up!
If making a tour sounds like something you feel would benefit your cause, then you can learn all about the steps to take by visiting this tutorial here!
KML Feature - National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC)
 The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) based at the University of Colorado, Boulder uses a variety of scientific data sources to provide research results relating to climate change and other environmental factors where snow and ice are concerned.
One of the methods of sharing these results is by using Google Earth to create a series of high quality KML files, meaning their data is no longer hidden away accessible to few. A recent NSIDC addition to our Google Earth Outreach Showcase provides an assessment of the relationship between melting glaciers and climate change.
"Explore a KML providing a rich geospatial presentation illustrating the changes in glaciers over the years.
By providing documented photographic evidence, you can see first hand the changes that have taken place. Since glaciers can contribute to sea level rise, understanding the changes that have occurred over the years can provide us with a greater knowledge of the impacts we are having on our own planet with regards to climate change."
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