Google Launches Sky Service

Now that people have had time to get used to having a view of the Earth, Google executives recently unveiled a different view with the sky in mind. Combining three perspectives including that of the Hubble telescope, Google Sky looks to make astronomers out of anyone that uses the dynamic new service. An extension of the GoogleEarth software program, GoogleSky will add to the number of people already numbering 250 million who use the Google software to find a specific point both on land and now in space.

When Google launched GoogleEarth which gave users a unique view all the way down to street level of almost any location on the Earth via satellite imaging, the potential was lauded as another way of using technology. With GoogleSky, users will be able to use views from the Palomar Observatory, Anglo-Australian Observatory along with images from the Hubble to produce a dramatic view of space. GoogleSky will offer the same zoomable features that have made GoogleEarth such a hit. Historically, kids grew up using inexpensive telescopes purchased at places like Wal-Mart to peak their fascination with the final frontier. While some maintained the fascination, others let it pass as the inability to see beyond was limited because of the low magnification of the modern retail telescopes. However, with the telescopes and observatories being used, the viewpoint of users will be dramatically enhanced and the possibilities as endless as someone searching the World Wide Web for the very first time.

Like the standard GoogleEarth, Sky in GoogleEarth is made up of stitched images that when attached make for a full-scale navigation experience. The photographs come from the two observatories as well as the Hubble Telescope. With the Layers feature, users are able to click on a specific target and get read-made information on every aspect of what they are seeing including information on black holes, planets, stars, and meteors. Another interesting feature is called GoogleSky Search. What it basically does is allow you to do a destinational search and transport you right there. It is quite Star Trekkie.

With over 100 million stars and 200 million galaxies at your disposal, users of Sky in GoogleEarth will have plenty to look at and look forward to with every use. An astronomy class in application form, the Sky software utilizes different layers and images that show the birth and death of a star. It also houses the layout of the constellations and a guide to understanding the galaxies. A fascinating feature allows users to see as if they were standing in their backyard and using a telescope or set of binoculars and see what they would see if they stood outside their own homes.

The interesting thing to find out was that software similar to Sky in GoogleEarth had been around for years. Standalone programs with planetarium views have been available for some time. WikiSky is a popular web-based program that is free and available. Available for download now, Sky in Google is sure to introduce a new generation to sky viewing.

Just like the rollout with GoogleEarth, there are updates planned for Sky in GoogleEarth. With more photos taken, more images will be available as well the depth of what users can see in zoom mode. One complaint heard by early beta testers was the inability to see a view of what the night will look like from their backyard. This complaint is something Google is sure to correct in later editions of Sky in GoogleEarth. As of right now, Sky in GoogleEarth is a major advancement in the way we experience astronomy and is sure to raise the fascination we have with the world around us.

No more do we need to beam me up Scottie, we can now just zoom us where we want to go.