Inside Google Earth 5.0

Now you can dive into oceans, view images of Mars and watch regions of the Earth change over time, all through the new version of Google Earth.

The Internet search giant Google has launched Google Earth 5.0 that will allow users to swim through undersea canyons as deep as the Mariana Trench and encounter creatures like endangered prehistoric fishes. The new version marks a significant upgrade to Google Earth, a popular software programme that provides access to the world's geographical information through digital maps, satellite imagery and the company's search tools.

Google Earth 5.0 takes data from over 80 organisations, including the US Navy, the National Geographic Society and the Marine Conservation society to provide maps of the underwater sections of the earth, including undersea mountains, shipwrecks and the deepest part of the planet.

Here’s a peek into all the all-new Google Earth 5.0.

What is Google Earth

Launched in 2005, Google Earth is a free Internet application that combines satellite images and users content about the planet.

Available in 41 languages, Google Earth has been downloaded more than 500 million times since its launch. Google Inc has updated its online map of the world to add the more than two- thirds of the planet that lies underwater and provide a way to view changes to glaciers and other geography over time.

Its latest version, Google Earth 5.0, offers users a virtual dive beneath the waves, allowing them to explore ocean beds, marine life and even shipwrecks.

Explore oceans

Google Earth 5.0 lets users plunge beneath the ocean's surface, explore three-dimensional images of the underwater terrain and view articles and videos about marine science contributed by scientists and organisations such as the National Geographic Society.

Users can explore the ocean with marine experts, including National Geographic. Learn about ocean observations, climate change, and endangered species. Also, discover new places including surf, dive, and travel hotspots and shipwrecks.

Touring

Another new feature in Google Earth is Touring. Touring allows users to record and share narrated fly-through tours of Google Earth using imagery from the application.

Google 5.0 takes placemarks a step further and records a free-form tour. Users can simply turn on the touring feature, press record, and see the world. They can also add a soundtrack or narration to personalise the journey.

Historical imagery

The Historical Imagery feature lets users see archive satellite images of individual locations to see how the region has evolved over time as a result of climate change and other forces. For example, viewers can observe how the largest glacier in Glacier National Park has melted over the past decade.

The new "timeline" feature allows a user to view a succession of satellite images of the same location over the years, tracking changes to the environment. Users can see the impact of recent trends like suburban sprawl or global warming. They can also set the length of time and the exact location that they want to see.

3D Mars

Google also unveiled a three-dimensional map of Mars based on satellite images, as well as panoramic photos taken from the Mars Rovers.

With Google Mars 3D, users can view three-dimensional, satellite imagery of the Red Planet taken during NASA space expeditions.

By selecting "Mars" from the toolbar in Google Earth, users have access to what amounts to Google Mars Street View -- a way to tour the portions of the Martian surface mapped by NASA's rovers.

The Mars mode provides high-resolution views of the planet and enables users to virtually fly through canyons and scale mountains on Mars, according to NASA. Users can also explore the planet through the eyes of the Mars rovers. The new version also allows users to create narrated tours of places using the software's content and images.

Record your trip

Users can also record their trip from point A to point Z. Capture their navigation through Google Earth in real-time, without using placemarks. They can narrate their virtual journey and share it with friends. Saved tours and trips can be reused and revisited in the future.