February 24th, 2007
NASA paints Google Earth with near real-time information
NASA is now providing some interesting KML files that add near real-time overlays to Google Earth. The information they are using comes from MODIS (Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) — some data from this source (updated daily) can be viewed on Google Earth by clicking here.
One example of the new data is temperature maps [KML]. This overlay shows a graphically pleasing representation of temperature for large bodies of water around the globe — the colors remind me of Google Mars.
In addition to sea temperatures, NASA is also now providing near real-time information for global chlorophyll levels, cloud fraction and snow cover.
Even though I probably will not use this information in real life, this information about sea temperature, chlorophyll levels, cloud fraction and snow cover is now only a click away — it's scary to think how much information we "know" actually lives on the internet, or at least in databases other than our brain.
[via Google Earth Blog]
Garett Rogers is employed as a programmer for iQmetrix, which specializes in retail management software for the wireless industry.
See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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