Google Earth
Google Earth
Overview
Google Earth (http://earth.google.com) is a virtual globe and online mapping application that allows users to view satellite imagery and other maps. Users can view and create maps, terrain, and 3-D models of many buildings and structures. There are two main versions: free and Pro. The free edition of Google Earth is available for personal and government use. Google Earth Plus is available for Windows and Mac users and includes simplified import of GIS and spreadsheet data and enhanced drawing and visualization capabilities. In order to download Google Earth, users need Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7, Mac OS 10.3.9 or higher, or Linux Versions.
Strengths
Google Earth provides a great deal of information about a location, which is stored in layers that can include roads, border labels, parks, food, gas, and lodging. Layers can easily be turned on or off. Two other layers are useful for creating a more three dimensional globe; the Terrain layer simulates elevation levels and the 3D Buildings layer lets you zoom through cities. The current version of Google Earth 5.0 offers the following features: historical imagery from around the globe, ocean floor and surface data from marine experts, and simplified touring with audio and voice recording.
Weaknesses
Users must download Google Earth software. Unlike Google Maps, users who have not purchased a license and want to share and collaborate on personally created content must exchange a file stored on their local computer. Users of the free version need to convert GIS data from other applications (e.g., ArcGIS) into a Google Earth file (i.e. KML). Google Earth can be slow when viewing large files.
Examples
Appalachian voices uses Google Earth to provided site-specific information on mountaintop removal projects (http://www.appvoices.org/index.php?/frontporch/blogposts/appalachian_voices_celebrates_its_heroes/). The OSU Marine Mammal Institute uses Google Earth to allow users to "swim" through the ocean from a whale’s perspective using real telemetry data. All Google Earth users can access this and other animal tracking data under Ocean and then Animal Tracking in the default Google Earth layers.
Tutorials
See the following links for assistance using Google Earth: http://earth.google.com/tour.html; http://earth.google.com/outreach/tutorials.html. Information on converting Google Earth files to ArcGIS files is available here: http://www.uga.edu/gpshort/instructions/GIS_Convertin%20Google%20Earth%20klm%20to%20ArcMap%20shp.pdf
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