Google Earth Gets Star-Gazing Add On

Tom F writes to mention BBC News is reporting that Google has released a new add on for Google Earth that will allow users to search a 3D rendition of over 1 million stars and 200 million galaxies called Google Sky. "Optional layers allow users to explore images from the Hubble Space Telescope as well as animations of lunar cycles. [...] Users can overlay the night sky with other information such as galaxies, constellations and detailed images from the Hubble Space Telescope. Imagery for the system came from six research institutions including the Digital Sky Survey Consortium, the Palomar Observatory in California and the United Kingdom Astronomy Technology Centre. "

Re:yes, but

[Matisaro]

No, why would someone who runs linux want to know what the outside looks like?

So what's the next step?

[BlackCobra43]

Google Map, Google Earth, Google Sky.. I think it leads to Google Mind.

Imagine (ho ho!) what would hpapen if Google were to invest in thought-imaging technlogoy, in order to accurately represent thought processes. People would have G-Implants (tm) in their brain recording their thoughts for others ot peruse!

It's coming. Just you wait...

Kids these days

[Chapter80]

No need to go outside anymore!

I told my kids about the upcoming eclipse [sciencedaily.com], and I was excited to see them enthusiastic, until one said "What channel will it be on?"

But, still no roads in Mexico on maps.google?

[sillyphisher1]

Google can map 200 million galaxies in 3-D but can't come up with a road map of Mexico? What's up?

Re:Let's hope...

[D-Cypell]

...or google images [google.com] is to perverts.

Re:But, still no roads in Mexico on maps.google?

[Anonymous Coward]

First mexico needs to build this thing called "roads."

Re:But, still no roads in Mexico on maps.google?

[mce]

Didn't you know that eternal history of both earth and the universe revolves around the US? After all, have serious aliens ever landed outside the US? Whenever they threatened the world, haven't they destroyed New-York or Washington in particular? The Martians don't care about Mexico. Ask Hollywood, those people can know first hand.

(c) google

[Speare]

There are already some great planetarium software applications available, like Stellarium. I see that it could be "more convenient" if Google Earth offered similar views, but I can't help but think that with the patchwork quality of Google Maps/Earth data, that the sky dataset will look like another half-finished project.

I may joke that in Google Sky, Rigel appears to be "(c) google" and Sirius will be a hotlink for digital radio, but there's a more serious concern of incomplete, poorly matched, patchwork quality, license-encumbered imagery that will blunt the value of Google Sky if they're not careful. Since Google's an ad company, I fail to see how this will actually bring them more revenue.

Millennium Falcon

[dogmatixpsych]

If Han Solo had only had this software he could have mapped out the best route and made the Kessel Run in 9 parsecs.

Re:yes, but

[jollyreaper]

> My answer to your question: you can't slide beer under the door!

Sure you can, you just need to wait for it to go flat.

Accurate Simulation?

[Flwyd]

Can I turn on the light pollution layer so I get a true sense of the Los Angeles sky?

Re:So what's the next step?

[StikyPad]

Clearly the next steps are Google Fire and Google Water.