Google Earth 5 Beta Takes Users into Space, Under the Seas

Google has released the Google Earth 5 beta, a major update to its geographical exploration software. The new release adds the ability to explore below the oceans and also incorporates features for exploring portions of the surface of Mars.

Google Earth 5 beta, available now as a free download, includes a feature called "Ocean in Google Earth." It offers users the ability to explore the world's oceans using materials from several National Science Foundation-funded ocean and climate researchers, including Northern Illinois University's Stefan Vogel.

Version 5.0 also introduces Martian landscapes, adding new capabilities for exploring some areas of the Martian surface. The video below shows an example of zooming from Olympus Mons to the Mars Pathfinder landing site and rover location. And, as with other locations within Google Earth, elements within the locations on Mars can be clicked to reveal deeper information, with Wikipedia entries, panoramic views, digital media, and other types of expanded content.

Finally, Google Earth 5 beta also adds historical imagery that users can access, rather than simply the latest satellite imagery.

Google Earth 5 beta is available now as a free download for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. Further information can be found here.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


Featured

  • college student sitting at a laptop writing a college essay

    How Can Schools Manage AI in Admissions?

    Many questions remain around the role of artificial intelligence in admissions as schools navigate the balance between innovation and integrity.  

  • a hobbyist in casual clothes holds a hammer and a toolbox, building a DIY structure that symbolizes an AI model

    Ditch the DIY Approach to AI on Campus

    Institutions that do not adopt AI will quickly fall behind. The question is, how can colleges and universities do this systematically, securely, cost-effectively, and efficiently?

  • person signing a bill at a desk with a faint glow around the document. A tablet and laptop are subtly visible in the background, with soft colors and minimal digital elements

    California Governor Signs AI Content Safeguards into Law

    California Governor Gavin Newsom has officially signed off on a series of landmark artificial intelligence bills, signaling the state’s latest efforts to regulate the burgeoning technology, particularly in response to the misuse of sexually explicit deepfakes. The legislation is aimed at mitigating the risks posed by AI-generated content, as concerns grow over the technology's potential to manipulate images, videos, and voices in ways that could cause significant harm.

  • laptop screen showing Coursera course

    Coursera Introduces New Gen AI Skills Training and Credentials

    Learning platform Coursera is expanding its Generative AI Academy training portfolio with an offering for teams, as well as adding new generative AI courses, specializations, and certificates.