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Wan LixinOpinion deputy editor of Shanghai Daily
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Google sheds new light on the world
Source: Agencies |
February 4, 2009, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
GOOGLE has launched a new version of Google Earth that allows users to explore the oceans, view images of the planet Mars and watch regions of the Earth change over time.
The new features mark a significant upgrade to Google Earth, a popular software program that provides access to the world's geographical information through digital maps, satellite imagery and the company's search tools.
Google Earth 5.0 was unveiled at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, where former Vice President Al Gore, singer Jimmy Buffet and others spoke about its capacity to educate the public about global warming, ocean acidification and other threats to the planet.
"This is an extremely powerful educational tool," said Gore, who won a Nobel Peace Prize for his work raising awareness about global warming. "One of my fondest hopes is that people around the world will use Google Earth to see for themselves the reality of what's happening because of the climate crisis."
Google Earth has been downloaded more than 500 million times since it was launched in 2005. The software is available free on Google's Website. Researchers and organizations can purchase a more powerful version for US$400.
John Hanke, director of Google Earth and Maps, said the idea of adding oceans came three years ago when a scientist pointed out that the software was missing the water that covers almost three-quarters of the Earth's surface.
Google Earth users can now plunge beneath the ocean's surface, explore three-dimensional images of the underwater terrain and view articles and videos on marine science.
The Historical Imagery feature lets users see archive satellite images of individual locations to see how the region has evolved over time. For example, viewers can see how the largest glacier in Montana's Glacier National Park has melted over the past decade.
With Google Mars 3D, users can view three-dimensional, satellite imagery of the Red Planet taken during NASA's space expeditions.
The new features mark a significant upgrade to Google Earth, a popular software program that provides access to the world's geographical information through digital maps, satellite imagery and the company's search tools.
Google Earth 5.0 was unveiled at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, where former Vice President Al Gore, singer Jimmy Buffet and others spoke about its capacity to educate the public about global warming, ocean acidification and other threats to the planet.
"This is an extremely powerful educational tool," said Gore, who won a Nobel Peace Prize for his work raising awareness about global warming. "One of my fondest hopes is that people around the world will use Google Earth to see for themselves the reality of what's happening because of the climate crisis."
Google Earth has been downloaded more than 500 million times since it was launched in 2005. The software is available free on Google's Website. Researchers and organizations can purchase a more powerful version for US$400.
John Hanke, director of Google Earth and Maps, said the idea of adding oceans came three years ago when a scientist pointed out that the software was missing the water that covers almost three-quarters of the Earth's surface.
Google Earth users can now plunge beneath the ocean's surface, explore three-dimensional images of the underwater terrain and view articles and videos on marine science.
The Historical Imagery feature lets users see archive satellite images of individual locations to see how the region has evolved over time. For example, viewers can see how the largest glacier in Montana's Glacier National Park has melted over the past decade.
With Google Mars 3D, users can view three-dimensional, satellite imagery of the Red Planet taken during NASA's space expeditions.
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