Solar System in Google Earth
Following on from my Google Earth vs moons add-on, here’s another size comparison which includes all the planets too.
I’ve used an image overlay to ‘convert’ Google Earth into the Sun, and arranged 45, scale, 3D models of Solar System bodies next to it. The file can be downloaded here:
Solar System in Google Earth (7MB)
Visually, it works better if Google Earth’s atmosphere is switched off (View -> Atmosphere).
The large differences in size make this much harder to navigate than the moons file, but you can fly straight to a particular body by clicking on the appropriate model name or placemark under Places. Also, the glare(!) from the sun overlay can be annoying at times, but this can be toggled off.
As with the moon models the planet textures are based on real imagery, and come from the public domain sources listed below.
Credits
- Venus, Jupiter, Saturn - Björn Jónsson
- Neptune, Uranus - NASA/JPL/Hastings-Trew/Thomas
- Mercury, Pluto - NASA/JPL/Seal/Rawlings
- Mars, Earth - USGS
Related Posts:
- The many moons of Google Earth
- How to create textured globe 3d models
Posted By James On July 18th, 2007.
Comments: 15
Comments
Comment from Frank Taylor
Time: July 18, 2007, 2:28 pm
Another good one James!
Pingback from Rxbbx Blog Moons Solar System in Google Earth
Time: July 19, 2007, 7:25 am
[...] Update: Stafford also made another size comparison in Google Earth from our Planets: Solar System in Google Earth. [...]
Comment from Biswaroop Todi
Time: July 19, 2007, 7:46 am
Your topic is so excellent. But in view of me that, Views of the Solar System presents a vivid multimedia adventure unfolding the splendor of the Sun, planets, moons, comets, asteroids, and more. Discover the latest scientific information, or study the history of space exploration, rocketry, early astronauts, space missions, spacecraft through a vast archive of photographs, scientific facts, text, graphics and videos. Views of the Solar System offers enhanced exploration and educational enjoyment of the solar system and beyond.
Pingback from Ahora el sistema solar en Google Earth :
Time: July 19, 2007, 11:04 am
[...] las 34 Lunas del sistema solar, pero no se han quedado solo en ese trabajo, y evolucionando, ahora han lanzado los planetas del sistema solar en 3D… con una comparación de escalas entre los principales cuerpos del sistema solar. El nuevo [...]
Comment from Julio Siqueira
Time: July 19, 2007, 3:36 pm
Absolutely Great!
Pingback from Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation in Google Earth
Time: July 21, 2007, 4:07 pm
[...] up in scale from my Google Earth Solar System model, this file displays the all-sky microwave background map of the universe produced by NASA’s [...]
Comment from Gary Catherman
Time: August 2, 2007, 5:14 am
Hello, Put your Solar system loverlay on my google earth and now cannot get it off my screen. WOuld like to get my original screen with earth instead of the solar system back. How do I do this? Help!
Comment from James
Time: August 2, 2007, 9:38 am
Gary - check out the ‘My Places’ folder under ‘Places’ in the left Sidebar. You should see the Solar System file in there. Either toggle it off, or right click and delete it.
Comment from saad
Time: August 2, 2007, 6:40 pm
you solar system in earth has corrupted my original google earth,so whenever i log into google earth all i see is the sun superimposed on the earthglobe so i cant make out anything on the earth.please help to get my original view of the earth back
Comment from James
Time: August 2, 2007, 8:43 pm
Saad - Have you checked the file isn’t in the ‘My Places’ folder, as I suggested to Gary ? Sometimes it can be difficult to find.
Let me know if you still have problems with it.
Pingback from Het heelal in Google Earth. | Google Earth, alternatieven en het heelal
Time: August 3, 2007, 8:01 pm
[...] je alles in het goede perspectief kan zien. Informatie over dit bestand en het bestand zijn hier, http://www.barnabu.co.uk/solar-system-in-google-earth/, te vinden. Je kan ook een filmpje bekijken van dit bestand op: [...]
Comment from Sally
Time: February 14, 2008, 2:08 pm
Hi. When I view the solar system, the sun (while pale yellow) has place names of the earth on it, eg. Gulf of Carpentaria, South Australia. Is there any way I can turn these off?
Also, the names of the planets seem to overlap the adjacent planets.
Thanks
Comment from lkayert
Time: March 15, 2008, 9:13 pm
awsome that is totally cool but you shoud make the picture bigger so you can feel like you are in outer space. when you took that picture were you in outer space?
Comment from phil
Time: June 16, 2008, 10:52 am
i have seen the plantes there nufink . . . they are just dust and wil blow away soon . . . im sorry to dissapoint you 
love u all x x x
Comment from Angry Black guy
Time: June 28, 2008, 4:58 am
In all honesty. I do not have the skill to do what you’ve done. But it still sucks.
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