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| Rudolph Muller | August 22, 2007 | No comments |
Rudolph Muller
Rudolph Muller is the editor at MyBroadband and covers telecoms and broadband news. Rudolph comes from an academic background, but left the University of...
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Google has unveiled a new stargazing feature – simply called Sky – from its groundbreaking Google Earth application which enables users to explore space, zoom in on galaxies and constellations and take a closer look at our planets.
“With about a hundred million stars and two hundred million galaxies, Sky in Google Earth lets you explore the heavens like never before,” Google says about their new application.
Stargazing has long fascinated human kind, and the latest Google Earth addition brings this facility to a user’s computer.
Information like the names of the stars that make up a certain constellation and images from the Hubble space telescope is included in this service.
According to AFP “it also displays the phases of the moon, the positions of the planets for now and up to two months in the future, offers virtual tours through different galaxies and details the different stages of a star's life cycle.”
AFP quotes Sally Ride, a former astronaut, as saying that "Sky is a very cool new feature for anyone who has ever looked up at the sky and wanted to know more. I think this is a great tool for satisfying that curiosity."
“Since ancient times, people have looked at the sky and tried to find order in the chaos of stars and planets. Ancient sky maps and astronomical computers were created alongside maps of the earth,” Google’s official Google Earth blog states.
“With Google Earth, we try to provide you with the best mapping experience possible, enabling you to virtually explore our planet. But wouldn't it be great to be able to explore the stars and galaxies as well?”
“I'm excited to announce we are launching Sky in Google Earth. You can now explore the universe from the comfort of your chair. Zoom in to distant galaxies hundreds of millions of light years away, explore the constellations, see the planets in motion, witness a supernova explosion; it's like having a giant, virtual telescope at your command — your own personal planetarium!,” said Lior Ron, the Google Earth Product Manager.
The new Sky facility is available with the latest version of Google Earth and can be accessed by clicking on the new Sky button on the toolbar at the top of the screen.
