The Creepy-ish Google Latitude Makes Good

Filed under: Satellite maps, current events

I wrote in an earlier blog post about the new Google Latitude, Google’s newest location-based service which allows you to locate anyone who is using Latitude, and conversely allows anyone to locate YOU if you’re using it.

In my prior article I stated that I felt it was stalkerish and had zero intention of using it.  And while I do still feel that way, I have to say that occasionally a situation happens that makes me question that viewpoint of mine and consider even *gasp* installing Latitude.

Should Google Blur out Government Buildings?

Filed under: Satellite maps

I’ve been reading blog posts about this subject for probably a year now.  I never post them, because I don’t tend to stir up controversy and I don’t personally believe that it’s a good idea to start blurring out buildings that arbitrary people think should be blurred out.

California assemblyman Joel Anderson has been trying to get a bill passed which would blur out certain “sensitive” buildings.  Terrorism is the reason or excuse given for this idea.  That blurring out these buildings like schools, military bases, government buildings, churches, etc. would prevent terrorist attacks.  And I can definitely see that viewpoint.  But there’s a lot more to consider here, before making a decision like this.  And I was looking for more information on THAT, before I posted anything on this subject.

The Super Nerdy Way to Check the Weather

Filed under: Satellite maps

Here’s how you impress all your friends with your genius meteorology skills.  Get the satellite imagery up to the minute straight from NASA’s maps.  That’s what all the COOL kids do.  Click this link and check it out for yourself!

One more handy tip from EarthGirl.  You’re welcome.

Technorati Tags: satellite maps, nasa, satellite imagery

How Much CO2 Does your Town Emit?

Filed under: Satellite maps

This may or may not be news to you, but I think it’s fascinating, so I wanted to write about it anyway just in CASE you don’t know.

Several years ago researchers from Purdue, Colorado State University and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory created The Vulcan project.  Dr. Kevin Gurney of Purdue is the head of this project, and funding for it was provided by NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy. The project gathered together all kinds of information about carbon dioxide emissions from various locations of North America.  They used Google Earth to plot all the locations and input all the info on maps that you can now click on to see everything.  Now bear in mind that this information is not exactly current, and would need to constantly be updated in order to become and stay current.  However, it does give us more information than we ever previously had on the subject.

Google Latitude: Big Awesome or Big Brother?

Filed under: Satellite maps

Google recently released their new mapping/tracking system called “Google Latitude”.  This software enables you to mark your location so your friends, family and anyone else you choose know where you are at all times via phone or computer or both.  You have the option of blocking people or changing your location whenever you want as well.

I’m sure you can instantly see pros and cons of this type of software.  So let’s take a look at the ones that come to my mind.

PROS:

1. Your friends and family will easily be able to find you.

Microsoft Virtual Earth Shows Big Pictures

Filed under: Satellite maps

Using the platform of Microsoft Virtual Earth, the first diabetes map in Australia was developed and launched by a group named Diabetes Australia. It is the one and only national map that shows and monitors the spread of diabetes in the country. Complete data on the number of people diagnosed with diabetes from all parts of Australia are displayed by the satellite maps. Incorporated are detailed information such as age, gender, and diabetes type (1 and 2). The new public service will help raise awareness (and also alarm?) on the condition of the disease in the whole country by offering free access to online information. This is made possible through combining the National Diabetes Services Scheme’s registrant database and Virtual Earth.

Politics and Movies Used Microsoft Virtual Earth

Filed under: Satellite maps

Will you be surprised when you see some 3d images of satellite maps from Microsoft Virtual Earth featured on a sci-fi movie like “The Day the Earth Stood Still”? Why not? The film’s producer used Virtual Earth because it is ‘virtually’ free of charge to use on movies. So, if you’re dreaming of making your own film someday (even if it was just an animation), you won’t have any problem using any of the Virtual Earth 3d satellite images.

Scientists Discovered Heart of Africa Through Google Earth

Filed under: Google Earth, Satellite maps

In 2005, British scientists were using internet maps by Google Earth to find a future location for a conservation project. And it was quite by accident that they discovered an unknown and unmapped territory in the middle of Africa.

Several years before, only the local villagers in north of Mozambique knew about the location of a lush and virgin forest in the vicinity. No maps had ever featured this place. Not in any scientific collections or literature. However, large satellite photos shown in Google Earth’s website had divulged the existence of the secret mountain forest, locally known as Mount Mabu.

How China Got Rid of Pollution Before the Olympics 2008

Filed under: 3D Satellite Imagery, Satellite maps

In August 2005 to 2007, a satellite map image of China shows high levels of pollution, particularly in Beijing and on eastern parts of the country. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a noxious gas that results from fossil fuel combustion mostly in trucks, cars, and power plants. Another gas, carbon monoxide (CO), is also present in the skies above China.

Two months before August 2008, the pollution level of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) lowered to about 50 percent and carbon monoxide (CO) to about 20 percent in and around Beijing. What kind of magic did Chinese officials use?

Know Where to Send the Firemen Through Global Maps

Filed under: 3D Satellite Imagery, Satellite maps, satellite images

Global maps are global views of our planet Earth through the many satellite imagery data from NASA. These satellite maps can give us an idea of what’s happening anywhere in the world. Modern technology had made global maps more interesting to study because all factors that affect the Earth are shown separately. At a glance, the depth of snowfall or the temperature in sea and land surfaces are depicted in different colors. Snow cover and vegetation are seen in white and in green, respectively. Fire maps are shown in yellow, orange, and red–according to count and frequency per day.