Post by Bruce on Dec 3, 2009 20:04:20 GMT 12
I have just upgraded my computer and in the course of doing so, downloaded and set up the latest freeware Google Earth version - 5.1.
I know some of the forumites are GE fans already, as I am, but I've found a really cool feature new to this latest version.
Under the View menu at the top of the page is a new option "Historical Imagery", which when selected shows a little slider bar showing the dates for which imagery is available for the selected view. There is some really old stuff available for selected sites -the way to find it I have found is to frame your view to cover one country or continent, then hover your mouse over the historic imagery slider - it will show the oldest available. slide the slider to that, and wait for the images to load. You will generally see "generic" scenery for most of the view, but will probably see one or two different coloured patches or squares - zoom in on these and see what you get. you can then move the slider back toward the present day and see the changes.
cool ones Ive found:
Templehof airport Berlin - earliest image is March 1945 - before the Russians captured it. Note the Ju52s and bomb craters.
Las Vegas strip, Nevada. earliest image is 1945 - just an empty highway in the desert with 3 Casinos.
Boston City - development of the new underground freeway system (the Big dig) and removal of the old overhead roadways
New Orleans - includes imagery from 2 days after Hurricane Katrina
Wellington NZ - building the new central city bypass
North shore auckland NZ - images goback to 1962 when most of the shore was open paddocks!
Its quite handy to select the "roads"overlay as this will help you identify places as they change.
can anyone find other old image sections?
I know some of the forumites are GE fans already, as I am, but I've found a really cool feature new to this latest version.
Under the View menu at the top of the page is a new option "Historical Imagery", which when selected shows a little slider bar showing the dates for which imagery is available for the selected view. There is some really old stuff available for selected sites -the way to find it I have found is to frame your view to cover one country or continent, then hover your mouse over the historic imagery slider - it will show the oldest available. slide the slider to that, and wait for the images to load. You will generally see "generic" scenery for most of the view, but will probably see one or two different coloured patches or squares - zoom in on these and see what you get. you can then move the slider back toward the present day and see the changes.
cool ones Ive found:
Templehof airport Berlin - earliest image is March 1945 - before the Russians captured it. Note the Ju52s and bomb craters.
Las Vegas strip, Nevada. earliest image is 1945 - just an empty highway in the desert with 3 Casinos.
Boston City - development of the new underground freeway system (the Big dig) and removal of the old overhead roadways
New Orleans - includes imagery from 2 days after Hurricane Katrina
Wellington NZ - building the new central city bypass
North shore auckland NZ - images goback to 1962 when most of the shore was open paddocks!
Its quite handy to select the "roads"overlay as this will help you identify places as they change.
can anyone find other old image sections?
