Adverts
Seeing the world from a new perspective can be a fascinating experience. Thanks to modern technology, we can now have a satellite view from virtually anywhere on the planet with just a few taps on our mobile devices.
This ability not only allows us to explore places we might never get to visit, but it also helps us get to know our own city better.
In this article, we will explore some of the best free apps that allow you to view the city – or any other location – from a satellite, providing a new way to explore and understand the world we live in. Get ready for a breathtaking panoramic view!
How do apps that allow you to see a place via satellite work?
These apps are like virtual windows into space, bringing a bird’s-eye view of our planet to the palm of your hand. But how do they actually work?
It all starts with satellites orbiting the Earth, often hundreds of miles above our heads. These satellites are equipped with high-resolution cameras that are capable of capturing images of the Earth's surface.
Satellites take continuous pictures as they orbit the planet. Each picture captures a small section of the Earth's surface. These images are then transmitted back to Earth.
Once the images are sent back to Earth, they are put together like a large jigsaw puzzle. This creates a picture complete and detailed from the surface of the Earth.
Depending on the platform, images are updated regularly to reflect changes in the Earth's surface. For example, Google Earth updates its images every 1 to 3 years.
When you use a satellite viewing app, you are essentially looking at a collection of satellite images. When you type in a location, the app quickly locates and displays images correspondents.
Google Earth: A Classic in Satellite View
When we talk about satellite viewing, the Google Earth is often the first name that comes to mind. And for good reason! This free app, available for both Android and iOS, has been a revolutionary tool since its launch in 2001.
Google Earth lets you explore the entire world in stunning detail. By entering an address or clicking on a place on the map, you can instantly “zoom” in, seeing the area from a bird’s eye view.
The images are incredibly detailed – you can identify buildings individuals, roads, parks and even cars!
One of the coolest features of Google Earth is the “Street View” function. With this, you’re not just looking at the city from above, but you can “walk” through the streets as if you were there, all thanks to 360-degree panoramic photos.
Additionally, Google Earth has a “Free Flight” feature that allows you to virtually fly over any landscape in the world, whether it's over the skyscrapers of New York or the plains of Africa.
For history buffs, there is a time layer feature that allows you to view old images of certain locations to see how they have changed over the years.
It's important to remember, however, that Google Earth imagery isn't real-time. Satellite imagery is collected over time and then processed before being added to the app. So you could be looking at imagery from a few months to a few years ago, depending on your location.
NASA World Wind: Satellite View from Space
NASA has always been at the forefront of space exploration and the app World Wind is no exception. This free software, developed by NASA, allows you to explore the entire world through high-resolution satellite images. And not just the Earth, but also other celestial bodies, such as the Moon and Mars.
What sets World Wind apart from other similar apps is the source of its imagery. NASA uses its own fleet of satellites to collect imagery, which means you have access to some of the most detailed and accurate imagery available.
You can zoom in and out, rotate and tilt the view to explore different areas of the world. Like Google Earth, World Wind also lets you view the terrain in 3D, giving a realistic feel to the landscape.
Another cool feature of World Wind is the ability to visualize different layers of information. For example, you can visualize layers of temperature, precipitation, cloud cover, and even aircraft traffic in real time.
But despite all these features, it's important to note that World Wind can be a bit more technical and less intuitive than other satellite viewing apps. However, for those willing to learn, it offers an incredible view of our planet straight from space.
Exploring Other Functions of Satellite Viewing Applications
These apps aren't just a fantastic way to explore remote locations or check on your home from space. They come loaded with a variety of additional functions that can be useful and fascinating.
Many of them allow you to plan a route between two points anywhere in the world. This can be useful for planning a trip or just getting an idea of what a trip would be like. journey between two points on the globe.
Satellite viewing apps often come with layers of geographic information. This can include things like tectonic plates, ocean currents, population density, and more.
Some apps provide access to historical imagery, allowing you to see how an area has changed over time. This can be fascinating for historians or anyone interested in seeing how the urban or natural landscape of an area has evolved.
You can also search for businesses and places. For example, let’s say you’re looking at a city on Google Earth. You can search for “restaurants” and the app will highlight all the dining options in that area.
Satellite viewing apps offer a world of information at your fingertips. Whether for travel planning, research, or just for fun, these tools offer an incredible way to explore our planet.
