Is Google Earth live, meaning does the imagery I see reflect the actual, real-time situation on the ground right now, or is it a compilation of older images? If it’s not live, how old is the imagery typically, and how often is it updated for different areas, considering factors like population density, natural disasters, or areas of significant change? And specifically, what about the 3D imagery – is that updated as frequently as the satellite imagery, or is there a separate schedule for 3D model updates?
Answer
No, Google Earth is not live.
Google Earth uses a combination of satellite imagery, aerial photography, and 3D data to create its virtual representation of the Earth. This data is collected over time and then processed to create the imagery you see.
While Google Earth is not live, some of its imagery is relatively recent, depending on the area. Urban areas and places of significant interest are often updated more frequently than remote or less populated areas. However, even in frequently updated locations, there can be a delay of weeks, months, or even years between when the imagery was captured and when it is available on Google Earth.
Specifically:
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Satellite Imagery: Satellites orbit the Earth and capture images of its surface. Google Earth uses imagery from various satellite providers, and these images are not taken continuously. The time it takes for a satellite to pass over a specific location and capture an image can vary.
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Aerial Photography: Airplanes or drones equipped with cameras capture aerial photography. These flights are scheduled and conducted periodically, and the captured images need to be processed and integrated into the Google Earth platform.
- 3D Data: 3D models of buildings, terrain, and other features are created using various techniques, such as photogrammetry and lidar. This data collection and processing is also a time-consuming process.
Furthermore, cloud cover and other weather conditions can affect the availability and quality of imagery. Google Earth often uses the best available imagery, which may be from different dates.
To see the approximate date of the imagery in a particular area, look at the information displayed at the bottom of the Google Earth screen. It typically indicates the date or date range when the imagery was captured.