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Most Detailed Image Of Earth Yet

Posted by Hemos on from the lookin'-purty dept.

TomDM writes "BBC News has a story on how scientists created the most accurate and detailed image of our planet yet, composing the image from satellite data, and adjusting it for the correct colours. "

18 of 285 comments (clear)

  1. Scientists where... by geekoid · · Score: 5, Funny

    ..suprised to find out that the Earth, is in fact, flat.

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  2. I've been working on this myself. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    I have been taking pictures using my Kodak Advantix camera of the ground in 4ftx3ft areas and collaging them into a large, detailed map of the Earth's surface.

    Because I am trying to keep this as up to date as possible, I reshoot any areas that change. I haven't gotten very far, mostly my yard and part of the driveway.

  3. Where? by buserror · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I wish we had access to that kind of data, as well as elevation data for the whole planet.

    Corelating both, we could have a planetwide flying simulator, or even submarine simulator.

    Then add the higher resolution satellite pictures to enrich the places where you have them, and we'd soon have a hugely interesting data set!

    I did a proto browser like that years ago, correlating the ghhs coastline data set and the etopo5 elevation map (at 1 degree resolution; nothing). And thats still the only vectorial data you can get covering the whole planet, for free.

    it's OUR planet anyway, why can't they release the data? it's not like the resolution is enought to have any military value anyway!

    1. Re:Where? by tap · · Score: 4, Informative
      You have download for free a 30 second resolution digital elevation for the whole planet from the USGS. It's called GTOPO30 and it's been avialable since 1996.

      As to why more isn't avialable for free, it costs money to create data like this. One way or another, someone needs to pay for it. If taxes aren't enough to provide hi-res images of the entire world, then that leaves private enterprise.

    2. Re:Where? by adamp3 · · Score: 3, Informative

      All the data, seperated into hemispheres and at 1 pixel = 1 km resolution (21600x21600 pixel images) is freely available from NASA at:

      ftp://gloria2-f.gsfc.nasa.gov/pub/stockli/

      The images are split into versions with or without shaded topography and bathymetry, there's an ice cap map, a landcover map, topography/bathymetry maps, a cloud layer, and the city lights image.

      They're in RAW format ("Open As.." in Photoshop).
      Be prepared to wait a while for them to open.

  4. seems like a lot of trouble for nothing... by negativekarmanow+tm · · Score: 3, Funny

    Wouldn't this have been a lot easier?

    --
    No security through obscurity: my password is goatse. Stop me before I troll again.
  5. Links to actual pictures by willybur · · Score: 5, Informative

    Look at the NASA MODIS site here if you want to actually see the pictures...

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    --
    "Everybody wants a rock to wind a piece of string around." - They Might Be Giants, "We Want a Rock"
  6. High Res Links by mr_gerbik · · Score: 5, Informative

    Nasa has some High Res versions here.

    Yes.. you too can download a 410MB TIFF of the earth ;)

    1. Re:High Res Links by Wanker · · Score: 3, Funny
      Nuts. Looks like they responded pretty quickly to the hordes of nerds all trying to grab 400MB for their own viewing pleasure.

      Large File Access

      The file you have selected is approximately 410.41 MB. At this time we are providing access to these files on a restricted basis. If you would like access to this file (#11662), please contact Tara Hess, eobweb@eob.gsfc.nasa.gov

      Time to post the mirrors? Or is it time to collectively spam poor Tara?

  7. I want one. by red5 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I want a poster for my wall.
    That would be rad.
    Even better if they print it with light sensitve ink.
    So when I turn out the lights I get the night version.

    --
    I know I'm going to hell, I'm just trying to get good seats.
    1. Re:I want one. by juju2112 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      You actually can buy a poster of the nighttime earth picture. I had my mom get it for me for Christmas last year. It's really awesome -- It's mounted on my wall in the living room in a nice frame.

      http://www.weatherexperts.com/catalog/item.htm?cid =1&iid=48&start=1

  8. That has got to be... by Zildy · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...the holy grail of Risk boards.

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    Karma: Excer..ex...excellahhh...realll good (mostly affected by drinking not done in moderation)
  9. Karma Whoring by bigdreamer · · Score: 5, Informative

    This goes to the directory of the newest images.

  10. works great in xplanet by Alan · · Score: 4, Informative

    Anyone who wants to use this for xplanet (a very cool globe program for *nix) can. There's a nice 2400x1200 version floating around somewhere, that combined with Hans Ecke's scripts, will create just awsome images for your desktop.

  11. Color Error... by Embedded+Geek · · Score: 3, Funny
    ...every square kilometre of the globe was covered... the final map represents the Earth's actual tint and hue.

    For the record, if I'd known NASA was working on this, I would've reseeded my lawn. I didn't think anyone but the neighbors would notice the dead patches. My apologies...

    --

    "Prepare for the worst - hope for the best."

  12. Hm. by Eric+Seppanen · · Score: 3, Funny
    To: maint
    From: eng
    Subj: 1055CM STILL out of ink

    Hey guys, the 36-inch color inkjet printer still seems to be out of ink. I thought you guys were going to come out and replace the cartridge two hours ago.

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    314-15-9265
  13. The Explanation (was Re:No New Zealand.....) by orcrist · · Score: 3, Funny

    The explanation is: NASA didn't want to direct their cameras on Mordor (which we now know is locate in New Zealand) since Sauron might have taken control of the satellites. Where would we be then? I applaud NASA's foresight in this matter.

    well...
    alright, actually they're only cropped off on the BBC site, the original pictures are complete, so blame BBC :-)

    -chris

    --
    San Francisco values: compassion, tolerance, respect, intelligence
  14. full scale by passion · · Score: 4, Funny

    I have a map of the United States. It's full scale. It says on the side: "one inch equals one inch." Last Summer I folded it.

    -- Steven Wright

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    - passion