Google Earth: The 5 best alternatives
Those who like to travel virtually around the world generally use Google Earth. We show you the 5 best alternatives with which you can explore the earth on the net.
The free Google Earth alternative "Marble"
The open source software Marble offers you a whole range of functions with which you can explore precipitation and temperature maps, night views and satellite images as well as historical maps.
- With the free program you can use a weather service or make time and sun settings. If you want to see the position of the sun, click on View> Suncontrol. You can also explore the moon. To do this, select the "Map View" category under the "Celestial Body" setting.
- The search window on the left sidebar makes it easy to find places around the world. When you zoom in with the mouse wheel, new symbols become increasingly visible. The symbols are explained in the legend.
- Marble can also be expanded with new cards. Navigate to File> Download Maps. You will be directed to a homepage where you can find new maps to download.
Google Earth extension: Flash Earth
Flash Earth is adding six new aerial photography providers to Google Earth that you can compare.
- The online service offers you maps from Microsoft, Yahoo and NASA. You can switch between providers and receive high-resolution images.
- If you want to use Flash Earth, you need Google Earth. You can integrate the downloaded KML file from the Google Earth menu. To do this, select the "Open" menu item under "File". You also have the option of starting the program in the browser.
The open source program NASA World Wind
The free NASA World Wind software enables satellites and aerial photos to be displayed on a globe and also offers 3D graphics that you can view from all sides.
- You need .NET Framework 2 for the installation. You also need enough hard disk space and a good internet connection to load large amounts of data.
- With this free program you can also explore other planets and celestial bodies such as Jupiter, Mars, Venus and the moon.
- World Wind has access to the recordings of several NASA satellites that deliver high-resolution images. The data is automatically loaded from the NASA servers.
3D locations: the Vizerra program
With the free program Vizerra you can visit places and sights virtually in 3D.
- Explore the most beautiful places in the world with just a few clicks: Old Town of Prague, Machu Piccu, Taj Mahal and Rio de Janeiro. Of course, the software will be expanded to include other locations.
- In addition to the 3D recordings, the free software from National Geographic also offers descriptive texts, audio guides and maps.
- Vizerra outperforms Google Earth in 3D viewing. However, the significantly improved graphics view requires a fast graphics card as well as a DSL connection and 1GB free hard disk space.
Microsoft Bing Maps 3D
Microsoft is competing with "Google Earth" with Bing Maps 3D. However, the views in 3D and the satellite images are mainly limited to American cities.
- The free Bing Maps 3D provides you with very high resolution satellite and aerial photos. The 3D view can be zoomed and rotated. You can also view map views in the "Birds-eye" perspective.
- Again, you need a fast graphics card and internet connection so that you can view the satellite images with their full range of functions.
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