Welcoming Google Earth Outreach and Two More Online (and Free) Digital Globes -- SkylineGlobe and NASA World Wind
+ The Launch of Google Earth Outreach (via News.com)
Google is working with several non-profits to offer layers of data and imagery about their work accessible using Google Earth. Kudos Google. Important work.
However, at the same time, don’t forget that two other 3D digital globes (both free) are also worth knowing about and using. No database is perfect and ideal for every situation so a quick review of two other 3D digital globes and one source for free aerial imagery is in order.
A) World Wind from NASA
Volunteer effort with help from NASA. Open source technology. New layers/add-ons being added regularly. Here’s a complete list. You can also choose from various databases of imagery (taken at different times) including Virtual Earth content from Microsoft. KML files also work.
BrinkX is a cross-globe bicyling expedition for an Australian named Kendon Glass. He has been on this trip for a few years now and is getting ever so much closer to home. This add-on for World Wind charts his progress and his prior points of interest.
B) Skyline Globe
U.S. imagery only (except for a small portion of the UK). One of our favorite features is the ability to place live traffic cams (for about 20 U.S. metro areas) “on top” of the aerial imagery. Fast download. Registration is free. Make sure to take some of the demo tours available. Flying around Chicago is very cool.
C) Not in a 3D globe format but Seamless.usgs.gov allows any user to download aerial imagery at no charge. Several datsets are available. Several datasets are available. Some global imagery is available.
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