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Google Moon Debuts
Ian writes "From the FAQ: 'One small step for Google...
On July 20, 1969, man first landed on the Moon. A few decades later, we're pleased to cut you in on the action. Google Moon is an extension of Google Maps and Google Earth that, courtesy of NASA imagery (thanks, guys!), enables you to surf the Moon's surface and check out the exact spots that the Apollo astronauts made their landings.'"
And who says Google doesn't have a sense of humor?
Example 1:
From their FAQ:
4. Is Google Moon a result of your Copernicus initiative?
Glad you asked, and yes, the development of our lunar hosting and research center continues apace. We usually don't announce future products in advance, but in this case, yes, we can confirm that on July 20th, 2069, in honor of the 100th anniversary of mankind's first manned lunar landing, Google will fully integrate Google Local search capabilities into Google Moon, which will allow our users to quickly find lunar business addresses, numbers and hours of operation, among other valuable forms of Moon-oriented local information.
Example 2:
On moon.google.com, if you zoom all the way in on the moon the imagery changes from satellite shots of the moon to a cheese template. Sense of humor at it's finest.
Looking forward to see what they come with next.
Side note: Does Google still offer satellite imagery of Mars in Google Earth? It was offered when it was Keyhole.
I'm a virgo and on Slashdot. Coincidence? Yes.
Zoom on in at http://www.boulder.swri.edu/~durda/Apollo/landing_ sites.html
Try this-- it's open source, Linux and windows compatible, does need Java Web Start
Mars MOLA ViewerI got the crazy idea from Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt...r +swing+set/2110-1029_3-5713885.html
Link here.... http://news.com.com/Quote+of+the+day+Cant+see+you
Text: Quote of the day: 'Can't see your swing set' Published: May 19, 2005, 12:00 PM PDT By CNET News.com Staff
Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt, in defending his company's privacy policies at a symposium Thursday, said the detail on the new map-linked satellite imagery is deliberately limited. "We cannot see your swing set, and we're not trying to," he said, adding that Google has complied with government agency requests to blank out areas of its satellite maps. "The value of more information so overwhelms its misuse that we've not had material problems there."
And All I Ask is a Tall Ship And a Star to Steer Her By
i hope this doesn't break this site, because it doesn't belong to me.
Exploring the Apollo Landing Sites
lets you click thru pictures to zoom in farther and farther, using pics from earth- and orbit-based telescopes, as well as photos from the orbiters and command modules.
some are good enough resolution that you can see the lander, albeit barely. you can see the rover tracks in all of them though.
Another urban legend re: Google earth and maps has been circulating recently. Several people have told me that the satellite imagery is intentionally old, because after 9/11 the US gov't passed a law saying no satellite photos newer than 2 years could be provided to the general public.
This is of course hogwash. Google will actually tell you how current their data is (can't remember how to look this up at the moment), and besides, there are MANY instances of pretty new buildings and construction (well under a year old) that show up very clearly.
I've even shown examples of this to people who know full well what date a building/overpass/etc went up, and they still insist on parroting this legend. Urban legends die hard.
Endless arguments over trivial contradictions in books written by ignorant savages to explain thunder in the dark.
You could also point a laser at the moon and see if you get a reflection back. A few of the Apollo missions left retroreflectors on the lunar surface.
"I'm not impatient. I just hate waiting." - My Dad